Where you can find free meals in Milwaukee this week and how you can help | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 21, 2022
We’ve compiled a list of community meals and turkey giveaways through Thursday as well as information on getting updated food pantry hours and how you can donate your money or time to help keep people fed this holiday season.
We want to keep this list updated. If we have missed a resource, let us know by emailing your information to info@milwaukeenns.org with “meals” in the subject line.
Drive-thru turkey giveaway and hot meal: Monday, Nov. 21
Families can pick up a frozen turkey and a hot meal at this drive-thru giveaway. The hot meal can be taken home or eaten onsite. The giveaway starts at noon on Monday, Nov. 21 and continues while supplies last at the Martin Luther King Community Center, located at 1531 W. Vliet St. Limit one turkey per household. For details, call the King Center at (414) 344-5600. More information here.
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Community meal at the Milwaukee Public Library: Tuesday, Nov. 22
Join the Milwaukee Public Library for a community meal while playing trivia and games from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at the Mitchell Street Branch, located at 906 W. Historic Mitchell St. More information here. Walk-ins are welcome while spots are available, RSVP here to secure a spot.
Take-and-bake meals to feed four: Wednesday, Nov. 23
United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee and other community partners will distribute “take-and-bake” meals with pre-cooked turkey and sides that feed four on a first-come first-served basis. You can pick up meals from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 in the Social Development Commission (SDC) parking lot located at the intersection of West North Avenue and North 17th Street. More information here.
Free turkey giveaway at Sherman Phoenix: Wednesday, Nov. 23
Ald. Khalif J. Rainey and Ald. Russell W. Stamper have partnered to provide free turkeys to local families this year for Thanksgiving. In collaboration with the Hunger Task Force, the aldermen will be stationed in the parking lot of the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. There will be a limit of one turkey per family, and turkeys will be given away while supplies last.
Thanksgiving dinner giveaway: Thursday, Nov. 24
Northcott Neighborhood House will be giving away 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners that feed four people from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 24 at Northcott Neighborhood House, located at 2460 N. 6th St. More information here.
Thanksgiving day afternoon feast and giveaway: Thursday, Nov. 24
Dream Team United MKE is hosting its fourth annual free Thanksgiving day feast and giveaway from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the intersection of North 35th Street and West Center Street. A hot traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served along with s’mores and the giveaway includes free groceries, new winter coats and accessories for adults and youth while supplies last. For more information, contact Farina Brooks at 414-839-9481 or email dreamteammke@gmail.com
Many food pantries will still be open during the Thanksgiving week and weekend. However, their hours may change or they may stop serving food if supplies run out.
IMPACT 2-1-1 will have the latest information on what food pantries are open near you. Text your ZIP code to TXT-211 [898-211]. While IMPACT has confirmed holiday hours with the pantries in its system, it still suggests calling the pantry you plan to go to ahead of time to confirm that they are still open when you plan to go.
Northcott Neighborhood House is looking for volunteers to staff its meal giveaway on Thanksgiving day. If you are interested in volunteering, email jdavis@northcotthouse.org.
The Hunger Task Force has organized a virtual food drive where you can purchase food items to be donated. More information here.
Dream Team United MKE is looking for volunteers to help serve its Thanksgiving day meal and giveaway. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Farina Brooks at 414-839-9481 or email dreamteammke@gmail.com