(Correction: Guthrie Lourdes ACE and North of Main host a free Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 19. A previous version of this story included the wrong date.)
Thanksgiving is a time to come together and enjoy a home-cooked meal, but for those who won’t have access to one, several local organizations in the Binghamton area are stepping up to fill the gap.
The Broome County Department of Health has compiled a list of 51 local community meals and pantries, along with any holiday schedule changes.
If transportation to any of the suggested locations is an issue, visit findhelp.org and enter your zip code to see what available transportation resources are available.
Here are some of the free community meals serving up all the holiday staples from Nov. 17-27.
YMCA Thanksgiving Dinner
The West Family YMCA will host a free dine-in community dinner. Doors open at 2 p.m. and each attendee will receive a meal ticket which includes one dinner, a drink and dessert.
The Thanksgiving meal will include turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dinner roll, green beans, mashed potatoes, and yams with the treasured marshmallow topping.
Winter coats will also be distributed in the lobbies of both the Binghamton and Johnson City YMCA locations, for anyone in need of a new or gently used coat.
When: 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 16.
Where: 740 Main St., Johnson City.
NoMa Thanksgiving Dinner
Guthrie Lourdes ACE has partnered with North of Main to host a free Thanksgiving dinner on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meals will be offered as takeout or dine-in on the lower level at the First Congregational Church.
Address: 30 Main St., Binghamton.
When: 5-6:30 p.m. Nov. 19.
Caribbean Patty World Thanksgiving giveaway
The restaurant will be providing a free meal to community members, no registration required. Residents will be able to select from all the holiday staples like turkey, collard greens, cornbread, barbecue chicken and rice and peas.
Meals will be distributed until all the food is gone.
Address: 190 Main St., Binghamton.
When: 2-5 p.m. Nov. 22.
Holiday giveaway at the Broome County Urban League
Registration is required for individuals and families who are interested in receiving a free turkey for the upcoming holiday. Small household items like clothing, coats, blankets, and pillows will also be available. To secure a spot, call the Urban League at 607-723-7303 and use extension 101. The last day to RSVP is Nov. 19.
All supplies will be handed out until everything is gone. Those attending must bring bags and boxes.
When: 11 a.m. until gone, Nov. 26.
Where: 88 Main St., Binghamton.
Shepherd Supper at Central United Methodist Church
Central United Methodist Church will host their weekly Shepherd’s Supper on Nov. 26, serving Thanksgiving foods like turkey and gravy. No registration is required; meals will be distributed and prepared in a takeout style.
When: 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 26.
Where: 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott.
Community Thanksgiving at Grace Tabernacle Church
The menu will feature turkey, chicken, baked mac and cheese, collard greens, deserts, candied yams, mashed potatoes and corn soufflé. The event is open to the community; meals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are interested in getting involved by volunteering some time, contact Anne Saint-Juste directly on Facebook.
When: 2-4 p.m. Nov. 27.
Where: 98 Glenwood Ave., Binghamton.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Six places to get a free Thanksgiving meal this holiday season
Reporting by Kalyn Grant, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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