Free Thanksgiving Turkey Near Me 2024: Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude when family and friends gather for a festive meal. However, for many families, the cost of a Thanksgiving turkey can be an added financial burden.
Fortunately, numerous organizations, charities, and food banks work tirelessly to provide free Thanksgiving turkeys to those in need.
This guide offers a detailed overview of where you can find a free turkey near you, as well as additional resources to make your Thanksgiving meal special and worry-free.
FREE Thanksgiving Turkey Near Me and Meals for Low-Income Families in Need
If you or someone you know is unable to spend money to get a free turkey at the grocery stores listed above, you can look for help in your community.
Food Banks
Food banks are working hard to organize turkey drives and fundraising events to help get Thanksgiving meals onto the tables of those in need. Food bank turkey distributions typically take place during the weekend before and in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. You can search by state or zip code for your local food bank as well as food pantries.
United Way
United Way chapters also organize turkey drives to help families in need. You can search for your local United Way chapter or you can use the United Way 211 resource to contact a representative who may be able to help you find free turkeys or meals in your area.
Meals on Wheels
Many Meals on Wheels providers have a program specifically for the holiday season, such as this Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels program offered in Minneapolis-St. Paul last year.
These meals consist of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, peas, corn, cranberries, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, and milk. They are delivered directly to your home and are available to all families and individuals in need, not just seniors.
You can find out what programs are available in your area by contacting your local Meals on Wheels.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army also provides free Thanksgiving dinners to those in need. Each program is run locally, so you’ll want to look up your local chapter.
Churches and Charities
Many local churches and charities often collect donated food to provide Thanksgiving meals to low-income families in their communities. Check with your local charity or church if you need help providing a Thanksgiving meal for your family. Find churches that provide free Thanksgiving and turkeys to families in need.
Grocery Stores That Will Give You a Free Turkey for Thanksgiving
Turkey is the main dish for most Thanksgiving meals, and we’ve grown accustomed to it being a budget-friendly purchase, especially as the holiday approaches.
But with inflation and food prices higher than this time last year, everyone is looking for ways to save money this holiday season, especially since Thanksgiving can still be expensive.
Even though Thanksgiving may be less expensive this year, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for deals every chance you get. And the good news is that consumers still have plenty of options when it comes to scoring cheap and even free Thanksgiving turkeys.
We’ve rounded up some of the best deals in 2024 to make sure you have that delicious bird as a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table.
How to Get a Free Turkey This Year?
Luckily, there are several grocery stores that offer free turkey promotions to draw more hungry holiday shoppers into their stores and help keep budgets in check.
Overall, it’s not worth spending $300 on random items just to get a bird you could get for $20 or $30. But if you’re going to spend that money anyway, why not just get the free turkey?
Think about some of the foods you’ll be making for the holiday celebrations, and if you need to stock up on spices, dried herbs, or other shelf-stable ingredients, you can buy them now. Broth, flour, sugar, canned goods, and more will continue through the next cooking cycle.
One caveat on our list: All of these deals vary by store, so you’ll need to call ahead to make sure your favorite location is participating.
Here are the stores that have announced their free turkey promotions for 2023.
1. Acme Markets
Acme is giving away free turkeys when you clip the free turkey coupon on its website.
You’ll then have to spend $400 or more while shopping through Nov. 23. Once you’ve met that minimum spend, you can claim your free turkey at the chain in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
2. Foodtown
Foodtown locations in the Northeast are rewarding customers with a free 10- to 20-pound turkey when they shop with their Club Card. You’ll need to spend $400 before Thanksgiving.
If you don’t want a whole frozen turkey, you also have the option to choose a ham, turkey breast, family-sized Stouffer’s frozen lasagna or a $10 Foodtown gift card.
3. Giant
If you can accumulate 400 Giant Choice Reward points by November 24, you can redeem them for a certificate to receive a free turkey up to 20 pounds.
If turkey isn’t your thing, you can also redeem your certificate for a free Stouffer’s Family Lasagna or Tofurky Roast. You can also choose to donate your turkey through Giant to a local food bank.
You can redeem your certificate starting November 1.
4. Hy-Vee
Buy a Hormel Cure 81 ham or Honeysuckle turkey and Hy-Vee will reward you with a free 10- to 14-pound Honeysuckle turkey.
5. ShopRite
First, you must earn points on purchases from October 15 through Thanksgiving with your Price Plus club card.
Once you spend a certain amount (check your local store’s flyer for details), present your Price Plus club card to the cashier to receive one of 10 free items, including a free turkey up to 21 pounds, turkey breast, chicken, lasagna, Gardein vegetable roast, tofurky, ham or a full picnic.
You can pick up your free item any day up to and including Thanksgiving.
6. Weis Market
If you’re part of the Weis rewards program, your rewards points could earn you a free Thanksgiving turkey.
It’s simple: From October 15 through November 23, you earn one point for every dollar you spend, and it takes 400 points to receive a free turkey, Tofurky roast, Tofurky ham, frozen lasagna, or frozen macaroni and cheese.
You also have the option to purchase discounted turkeys and hams after you earn 200 points. For example, you can get a Weis frozen turkey for 69 cents a pound after you spend 200 points in the rewards program.
It’s important to note that your points have an expiration date, which is printed at the bottom of your receipts. You can claim your free turkey through November 23.
7. WinCo
If you spend $125 on a trip to WinCo between November 15 and November 22, you can get a free HoneySuckle White or Jennie-O Grade A frozen turkey.
This offer is limited to one turkey per family, while supplies last. And if you’re a Butterball fan, you’re out of luck. The free offer is only for Jennie-O and Honeysuckle turkeys.
Where Can I Get a Turkey for Cheap?
Here are other stores that offer reasonable prices, some even lower than USDA estimates, as well as some stores where we can expect prices to drop during Thanksgiving promotions in the coming weeks.
8. Aldi
Currently, whole turkeys are selling for $1.27 per pound, as advertised at Aldi.
This is lower than average, but Aldi is known for offering even lower prices during Thanksgiving week. Their price can vary by region.
9. City Market
Currently, City Market is selling a Kroger brand frozen whole turkey (10-14 pounds) for $10.44 (regularly $22.68) and a Butterball frozen turkey for $17.64 (regularly $23.88).
Keep an eye out for even better deals throughout the month of November. In the past, City Market, a Kroger store in the Rocky Mountain region, has offered deals for shoppers who met a minimum spend of $25.
10. Cub Food
Currently, Cub Food offers a variety of whole turkeys for sale, including 12- to 15-pound Butterballs at $2.69 a pound, an 18-pound Essential Everyday turkey at $2.29 a pound, and an 8-pound Honeysuckle frozen turkey breast at $23.92 ($2.99 ​​a pound).
But keep an eye out for Cub Food’s weekly ads in the coming weeks. Turkeys have been discounted in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving in recent years. Good news for folks in Illinois and Minnesota, where Cub Food stores are located.
11. Meijer
Currently, you can get a Meijer frozen turkey for $1.70 a pound, a Butterball for $1.50 a pound, or a Honeysuckle frozen turkey for $1.40 a pound at the Midwest Meijer chain.
However, this is another store that typically offers great promotional prices during November, especially for the store’s mPerks members.
12. Safeway
This large chain store also has a wide variety of frozen whole turkey options.
Brands range from Butterball to O Organics to Open Nature to Signature Farms. Depending on the brand, prices typically range from $2.29 to $4.99 a pound.
13. Shaw’s
Shaw’s also has the usual offerings on brands like Butterball and O Organics, plus others, selling for between $1.29 and $2.99 ​​a pound.
In the past, during Thanksgiving week, Shaw’s offered discounted turkeys to customers who made a $25 purchase. Look for other potential deals like that to save big bucks at the Northeastern food chain.
Shaw’s also tends to match prices during the holiday season, so if you see a lower price elsewhere, be sure to talk to your cashier.
14. Walmart
Walmart is currently offering some of the best deals on this list with incredible savings.
They currently have a 16- to 24-pound Butterball turkey for $26.56, or $1.28 per pound. You can also pick up a 10- to 16-pound Butterball for $18.34, or a frozen Honeysuckle turkey for $20.94, or 98 cents per pound.
15. Wegmans
Currently, you can get a frozen Butterball turkey for $2.39 per pound, as well as a whole Shady Brook brand turkey for $31.69 for a 14-pound bird.
In years past, the beloved Northeast food chain, which is now present in some Mid-Atlantic states, has offered turkey at a nice discount in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, and it also offers a price-match guarantee.
Tips for Finding Additional Holiday Meal Resources
Many organizations offer more than just turkeys. Here are some options you can consider for additional help with Thanksgiving meals:
✅Food boxes: Food banks and charities often provide complete food boxes, which can include vegetables, stuffing, potatoes, and other Thanksgiving essentials.
✅Hot meals: Some community centers, shelters, and soup kitchens host free Thanksgiving dinners, particularly for seniors and homeless people.
✅Holiday vouchers: Some charities offer food vouchers, allowing families to choose their holiday foods. Contact your local charity for more details about free Holiday food boxes and groceries.
Conclusion
In summary, finding a guaranteed, affordable, or even free Thanksgiving turkey in 2024 can be easy if you search through available local and national resources. From food banks to charities like the Salvation Army and local churches to grocery distribution and community centers there are many options to ensure everyone can celebrate the holiday season with a traditional turkey.
Don’t forget to plan. Contact nearby services. And keep an eye on it. For seasonal offers using these resources, you can make Thanksgiving a time of gratitude and togetherness without financial stress. Happy Thanksgiving!
