Thanksgiving 2025: A look at local community meals, charity drives and volunteer options

Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the AFRO has gathered several fun, helpful and engaging events across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area for families and friends. From free dinner giveaways to volunteer opportunities, there is much to attend this holiday season.

Take a look below to see what resources and opportunities to give back are available!

Maryland

Baltimore City 

Thanksgiving Give-a-Way 

Operation P.U.L.S.E. (People United to Live in a Safe Environment) will host a free Thanksgiving food give-a-way to help families be prepared for the holiday. With the ebbs and flows of economic uncertainty and rising grocery costs, this event aims to help families be able to afford a family meal by equipping them with a turkey or ham boxes of produce. Operation P.U.L.S.E aims to provide at least 200 Thanksgiving meals and 400 loaves of bread this season.

Date: 11/24/25

Time: 1 p.m. until supplies last  

Location: Zion Baptist Church 

    1600 Harford Ave

    Baltimore, Md. 21213

The DPSCS 2nd Annual Turkey Drive

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) invites the community to   attend their 2nd Annual Turkey Drive to give out turkeys, non-perishable items, gently used clothing, shoes and accessories to those who need it. 

Date: 11/25/25

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

Location: Calvin B. Scruggs Funeral Home (Front Side) 

       1412 E. Preston Street 

                 Baltimore, Md. 21213

Prince George’s County

Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon

Prince George’s County Councilman Calvin S. Hawkins, II, (D-At-Large) in partnership with The City of District Heights invites the community to their Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. This beloved community tradition will surely be a time of good food, great company and gratitude. Registration for the event is available online. Each registration allows seating for up the registrant and a guest.

Date: 11/24/25
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: District Heights Recreation Center
    2000 Marbury Drive
    District Heights, Md. 20747

Virginia

Alexandria

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Franconia UMC (United Methodist Church) will host a free community Thanksgiving Dinner in the hopes that all community members will get to enjoy a festive meal this holiday. People who attend will receive a free turkey dinner with all the traditional accompanying dishes.

Date: 11/24/25 

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

Location: Franconia United Methodist Church

      6037 Franconia Road             

              Alexandria, Va. 22310

Washington, D.C.

Thanksgiving Celebration at the CFRC

The Central Union Mission invites the community to a thanksgiving celebration at its Comprehensive Family Resource Center (CFRC). The event will be a time to get together with your community, enjoy things like Bingo, and dig into a free meal. All community members are welcome.

Date: 11/26/25 

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Meals served at 12:00 p.m.)

Location: Comprehensive Family Resource Center            

             3194 Bladensburg Rd. NE             

          Washington, D.C. 20018

Holiday Helpings 2025

The Bread for the City, a non-profit that provides comprehensive services to low-income D.C. residents in need, will host its annual Holiday Helpings program. The program provides culturally inclusive holiday meal kits to D.C. residents navigating food insecurity this holiday season. The program will give 17,000 households their choice of a turkey or chicken, sides and seasonal produce, alongside Asian and Latinx options. To pick up a Thanksgiving meal, recipients must be a D.C. resident and be able to provide identification.

Date: 11/3/25 – 11/25/25 (Mondays through Fridays) 

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Location: Northwest Center and Southeast Center (See below for addresses)  

Northwest Center 

1525 7th Street NW, 

Washington, D.C. 20001             

Southeast Center

1700 Marion Barry Ave SE 

Washington, D.C. 20020

Locations for people to volunteer during this holiday season:

Bea Gaddy Family Centers

The Bea Gaddy Family Centers has a range of volunteering opportunities available for the community to help out with. They are looking for motivated, reliable volunteers that can help unload trucks, move supplies into the building before the Thanksgiving Day meal service, delivery drivers, door monitors and more. 

Date: 11/27/25 

Time: Varied times depending on role 

Location: American Legion Northeastern Post 285            

      2324 McElderry St            

      Baltimore, Md. 21205

The 25th Project Thanksgiving Meals

The 25th Project is looking for volunteers who can prepare and deliver meal boxes to individuals without homes in Prince William County, Fairfax County and Washington, D.C. 

Date: 11/27/25 

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Location: Burke Community Church (Kitchen)             

      9900 Old Keene Mill Rd.             

      Burke, Va. 22015