The holidays can be challenging for many in our community, and after the storm, even more locals have found themselves in need and facing an empty Thanksgiving table. So whether you’re looking for help or you want to be the help — we’ve gathered together a few local organizations offering comfort, cheer, and a Thanksgiving spread.
12 Baskets Cafe
As always, the cafe, which is a program of the Asheville Poverty Initiative, will be open on Thanksgiving Day. You can also donate a cooked or uncooked turkey, or you can register for Pisgah Fitness’ Turkey Delivery Dash to race your frozen turkey donation straight to the cafe.
Blue Mountain Pizza and Brewery
The 19th Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner includes turkey, ham, potatoes, and all the trimmings. This dinner is catered toward those who might not have a place to go for the holiday, but if you have the resources, you can also donate or volunteer, as the restaurant expects more need this year. To place an order for multiple pickups or delivery, call between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.
Burton Street Community Center
On Saturday, Nov. 23, gather for a free, potluck-style Friendsgiving with delicious food and delightful community — registration is required.
Clean Eatz
The cafe will offer a free Thanksgiving dinner with pickup on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27. More details on the giveaway will be shared soon.
Eblen Charities
In partnership with a number of local businesses, Eblen will provide Thanksgiving meals for 800+ families. Slots are currently full for the drive-thru meal giveaway on Wednesday, Nov. 27 — but you can still donate.
Hearts With Hands
Registered families can drive through to receive a cooked meal (with turkey, sides, desserts, and drinks) and essential supplies. If you’d like to help out, join the waitlist for a volunteer shift or make a donation.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
MANNA FoodBank, Foothills Food Hub, and Southside Community Farm will distribute all donated turkeys — all you have to do is purchase the pasture-raised bird online.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
On Saturday, Nov. 23, 1-6 p.m., drop in for a Turkey and Hot Meal Giveaway hosted by several local organizations and businesses.
MANNA FoodBank
Find free frozen turkeys, food and fresh produce boxes, eggs, and pies at the WNC Farmers Market on Thursday, Nov. 21. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., MANNA FoodBank and several partners will deliver the no-cost goods to 1,500 families. Want to contribute to the distribution? Send a donation.
Montgomery Sky Farm
The farm will be hosting two free Thanksgiving dinner events, one at Riverside Elementary in Spruce Pine on Friday, Nov. 22 and one at Valley Hope Church in Swannanoa on Monday, Nov. 25. Your donation will go to the holiday meal program.
If you’re looking to dine in or carry out for Thanksgiving, we’ve got a guide for that too.
