Let us all gather, NYC! This Thanksgiving, we’re here to ensure that the holiday is about warmth, connection, and good food for everyone. From bustling community centers to local religious institutions, the city is bursting with kind-hearted initiatives offering a free, delicious feast for anyone in need.
Additionally, you can find countless volunteer opportunities throughout the city to give back to the community we love on a day that’s all about just that; love and connection.
Here are all the places around NYC to get a free meal and volunteer this Thanksgiving.
The Bowery Mission
On Thanksgiving Day, The Bowery Mission will be serving meals at its flagship campus, including 250 turkeys, 4,000 pounds of potatoes and 500 pies. Patrons can receive breakfast from 8 am to 9 am, with the main meal served 11:30 am to 4 pm.
How to get involved: To donate or volunteer with The Bowery Mission, visit the “get involved” section of their website.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
Those who head to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on Thanksgiving Day will be provided with a family-style meal including turkey and pies –which they’ll continue to serve the day after Thanksgiving as well.
How to get involved: To volunteer, visit their website.
Xavier Mission
On Thanksgiving Day, Xavier Mission will serve a meal from 12 pm to 2 pm. This meal is specifically offered for the elderly and disabled; however, the mission ensures that no one seeking a meal will be turned away.
How to get involved: To donate or volunteer, visit their website.
Masbia Soup Kitchen Network
Masbia operates as a non-profit soup kitchen network providing emergency food services, including hot meals and pantry packages, year-round. Their dignified service provides a restaurant-style environment for people in need.
They operate on multiple sites, serving Brooklyn and Queens.
📍Flatbush: 1372 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn
📍Borough Park: 5402 New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn
📍Forest Hills: 105-47 64th Rd, Forest Hills
North Brooklyn Angels
For its annual “Neighbors Giving Thanks,” North Brooklyn Angels mobilizes more than 100 local volunteers to ensure residents of Bushwick, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg enjoy a warm and joyful holiday.
This year they are planning:
- 1,000 frozen turkeys distributed to local families
- Over 1,000 holiday meals prepared and distributed at our regular community locations from Monday through Wednesday before Thanksgiving
- Almost 600 sit-down, restaurant-style Thanksgiving meals served at four North Brooklyn locations.
Though the exact location for this year’s Neighbors Giving Thanks has yet to be announced, North Brooklyn Angels weekly meal schedule and locations can be found here.
How to get involved: In order to volunteer, please see North Brooklyn Angels interest Airtable form.
📍Brooklyn, exact Location TBA
DOROT
DOROT’s focus is on alleviating social isolation for older adults, often delivering meals directly to homebound seniors. Deliveries are scheduled for Sunday, November 23rd, 2025. More information can be found on their website.
How to get involved: DOROT relies heavily on volunteers, especially for this holiday delivery. If you are interested in delivering meals, you can sign up on the DOROT website.
Other options and resources
- Food Help NYC: Use the Food Help NYC map or call 311 to find your nearest food pantry and community kitchen.
- Donations and volunteering: Many organizations, like Goddard Riverside and the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, are seeking volunteers or donations to help prepare and deliver meals.
Make a Difference
There’s no better way to give thanks than by showing up for the community. For more information on how to get involved with volunteering opportunities specific to your area, check out the NYC Service website.