Here are free Thanksgiving meal options in and around Wichita to help you this holiday
With Thanksgiving less than a week away, families are setting up plans for what they’ll do over the holiday.
But while some people are making grocery lists and preparing for a full table, the cost of ingredients for others may be too much to spend. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices in September were 3.7% higher than they were the same month last year.
If you’re struggling this season, you can still celebrate the holiday with a warm meal. Here are some options to look into in Wichita.
Where to get a hot meal this Thanksgiving Day
The Kansas Food Bank and United Way of the Plains put together their 2023 Thanksgiving meal lists, including three options for in-person meals on the holiday.
- Bethel Life Center, at 3777 S. Meridian Ave., will have a free Thanksgiving meal Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meals will be served as long as supplies last. No reservation is needed to attend, and anyone with questions can call 316-522-7148.
- Valley Center Methodist Church will host a free Thanksgiving meals from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at 560 Park Ave. in Valley Center. Anyone with questions is asked to call 316-393-0374.
- The Lord’s Diner, which has two locations, 520 N. Broadway and 2825 S. Hillside, and will be serving Thanksgiving dinners from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. You can either eat at the locations or take the meals to go.
Other Thanksgiving meal options
There are other Thanksgiving options if you don’t want a sit-down meal.
The Kansas Food Bank released a guide to five locations offering free Thanksgiving food boxes.
- There is a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway at Bread of Life, 1301 E. Galina, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can call 316-689-6866 with questions.
- There is a turkey distribution at College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st St., Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. You can call 316-683-4643 with questions.
- You can collect a Thanksgiving food bag at Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple, Saturday at 6:30 a.m. via a drive-thru.
- United Methodist Open Door, 2130 E. 21st St. N., is holding a Thanksgiving food distribution from Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. each day. You can call 316-267-4201 with questions.
- There is a produce distribution at New Life Church, 1156 N. Oliver, Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. You can call 316-265-3663 with questions.
If you know of any other free Thanksgiving offerings, please email information to lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.
