Where to get a free Thanksgiving meal in the Fall River area
FALL RIVER — The holiday season is upon us and for many, the focus is on preparing menus for a feast with loved ones.
It's also a time for giving thanks and giving back, which organizations and businesses in Greater Fall River do each year through annual free Thanksgiving dinners for locals in need.
Volunteers are getting ready to serve up hundreds of free turkey dinners this Thanksgiving to anyone in the community looking for a hot meal — from struggling families to those who are homeless to those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone and are just looking to see a friendly face.
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Due to the pandemic, some dinners — which in the past have been sit-down gatherings — will be pickup or delivery only this year. But most will be hot and ready with all the fixings when you arrive.
Here are some places across the Fall River area lending a hand this Thanksgiving:
Salvation Army (Fall River)
Salvation Army of Fall River continues its long-held tradition of providing hot meals to make the holiday a little brighter for those less fortunate this Thanksgiving.
Folks can head to their location at 290 Bedford St. the day before Thanksgiving — Wednesday, Nov. 24 — from 1 to 2 p.m. to pick up a complete turkey dinner with all the trimmings, plus dessert, fully cooked and ready to serve.
"No sign up necessary, anyone can come get a meal," said Michelle Cave, administrative assistant at Salvation Army.
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In pre-pandemic times, the Salvation Army would open its doors to the public for this event, which would usually serve approximately 150 people. However, this year — like 2020 — due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions the hot meals will be packaged and available to go. Their weekly soup kitchen currently operates the same way, Cave said.
A loyal group of about 10 volunteers will be returning this Thanksgiving help get meals out to those who need them. They will be prepping 80 meals, which will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Cave said preparations get underway early Thanksgiving week. Volunteers turkeys start cooking turkeys Monday and Tuesday, before returning Wednesday to cook the side dishes and package meals.
Cave said their hope is to give a boost and maybe bring a little joy those in the community who may be struggling during the often stressful holiday season.
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"There are a lot of people who might not get a dinner on Thanksgiving Day... It's hard sometimes because our soup kitchen consists of both families with kids and we have a lot of the homeless population who come to get a meal as well."
"Unfortunately some (homeless people) don't have a place to go to on Thanksgiving so if we can give them a meal the day before it might help them feel a little better about the holidays," she said.
For more information, visit their website at https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/FallRiver or call 508-679-7900.
Blessed Trinity Parish (Fall River)
Those looking for a hot meal, or even just a little company, this Thanksgiving can head to Blessed Trinity Parish. The Fall River church will be serving a Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 25, at no cost to the first 125 people who walk through their doors.
This turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served at noon, and doors open at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are not necessary. The parking lot is located behind the church at 1340 Plymouth Ave. For more information, call 508-672-4854.
Angels Anonymous (Fall River)
Angels Anonymous, a nonprofit that holds a monthly food pantry, cleanups, charitable drives and more with a goal of helping anyone in need in Fall River and surrounding communities, is planning a pre-Thanksgiving Day pantry at its 231 Weaver St. location.
The pantry will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 10:45 a.m.
This year, their Thanksgiving pantry is being organized in honor of Thijs and Sebastian Kilgannon, who raised over $9,000 during their super hero challenge walkathon, according to the Angels Anonymous website. The pair donated their proceeds to four local nonprofits, including $3,000 to the Angels Anonymous pantry to help provide food for those in need this holiday season.
Due to COVID-19, their monthly food pantry has changed to drive-thru only, and is open every third Saturday and fourth Sunday of the month. This Thanksgiving pantry it will operate the same way.
Visit https://www.angelsanonymousfr.com/ for more information.
Simply Simons (Swansea)
Simply Simons, 41 Wilbur Ave., Swansea, is once again doing their annual Thanksgiving meals for the needy and less fortunate.
A roughly 15-year tradition at the family eatery, their meals are available for pick up or delivery only to anyone upon request, including elderly, homebound or those who simply can’t afford a turkey dinner. "We provide all the fixings hot and ready for you and your friends," their Facebook post states.
Simply Simons has also put a call out to volunteers who can help at the restaurant either Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 24, at their "peeling party" or on the day of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 25, to prep and deliver meals.
They offer delivery to Fall River, Swansea and Somerset. Last year, even with COVID, Simply Simons employee Aly DeJesus estimated that the restaurant served about 700 meals.
To request a meal, donate food or to volunteer, call Simply Simons at 508-675-5531.
Amicable Church (Tiverton)
Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed at the Tiverton Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 20, to residents of Tiverton and Little Compton who need a hand this holiday.
The basket mission is sponsored by Amicable Church, at 3736 Main Road, Tiverton, with the generosity of many businesses, churches and individuals in the community.
Vouchers are available for any family who can benefit from a basket, which includes all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal and more.
Vouchers can be picked up at the Tiverton library every Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. IDs are required.
Food donations are being collected at Amicable Congregational Church, 3736 Main Road, Tiverton, until Nov. 14. Items needed include stuffing mix, cake mixes, paper goods, canned gravy, breakfast foods, gift cards, breakfast items, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce.
If you'd like to contribute to this event with your time or monetary or food donations, email Thanksgivingbaskets2021@gmail.com.
St. Theresa and St. Christopher churches (Tiverton)
The St. Theresa and St. Christopher churches are helping to organize a free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for the Tiverton community on Thursday, Nov. 25, at noon.
Hosted by the Knights of Columbus & Columbettes, the dinner is free with registration. Call the parish office 401-624-8746 by Nov. 10 to RSVP or to volunteer. Donations are welcome.
The sit-down dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus hall, 28 Fish Road, Tiverton.
Waters Church Southcoast (Tiverton)
Waters Church Southcoast will be distributing a free Thanksgiving meal box to 200 families in the Fall River area.
The Waters Church Community Thanksgiving Drive-Thru will take place Saturday, Nov. 20, starting at 10 a.m., while supplies last, at the soon-to-be-open Waters Church location at 28 Fish Road, Tiverton (the former Knights of Columbus building).
Those in need are asked to drive into the main lot of Waters Southcoast and one of their serve team members will place dinner box in your vehicle. Each box will be filled with a variety of pantry items to create a complete dinner with dessert and a gift card for a turkey.
For more information on Waters Southcoast, visit https://waterschurch.org/locations/southcoast/
Portsmouth United Methodist Church (Portsmouth, R.I.)
For Portsmouth United Methodist Church, 2732 East Main Road, Portsmouth R.I., their free annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 25, will look a bit different this year. It will be the same delicious turkey feast with all the fixings, only it will be by drive-thru pickup instead.
There are 100 meals available and reservations are required. Those who interested can call 401-683-4005 to set up a pickup time and get their choice of pie for dessert.
If your business or organization is offering a Thanksgiving meal that you'd like included in this list, email news@heraldnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River area Thanksgiving meals offered free for those in need
