Where to find a free meal or turkey this Thanksgiving in the Chattahoochee Valley
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, many families might be wondering where to get a meal or where they can get a free turkey or ham. Several local Columbus agencies are helping local residents get this Thanksgiving staple throughout the next several days.
The Sixth Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner
The Liberty Theatre and Cultural Center is hosting their Sixth Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event is taking any volunteers interested in helping out, as they do every year. This year they’re taking volunteers a bit differently.
The organization is asking all Thanksgiving Day volunteers to pre-register by contacting the Thanksgiving Chair, Samantha Lawton, at samantha@libertycolumbugsga.org by Nov. 23. The following Monday, more information will be sent out to individuals that email her.
This change is to help with planning and setting up stations, according to Liberty Theatre Director, Shae Anderson.
“Only pre-registered volunteers will be able to enter and serve on Thanksgiving Day. Walk in volunteers are welcome to come on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” Anderson said.
The organization is also asking for other donations, such as onions, cheese, store bought desserts and more.
Valley Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Day Meal
Each year on Thanksgiving, the Valley Rescue Mission serves a meal to people in need and this year is no different. The organization will be having their Thanksgiving Day meal on Nov. 28 starting at 11 a.m.
The meal will be served at the mission’s main campus on 2903 Second Ave. after a chapel service.
Valley Rescue Mission serves nearly 900 meals to people who are in need every year in the Chattahoochee Valley area, according to Greg Wilson, development and marketing specialist for Valley Rescue Mission.
If you’re interested in helping out with Damascus Way, an arm of Valley Rescue Mission, they’re looking for volunteers as well. Damascus Way helps deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to homebound individuals in the Chattahoochee Valley area.
Damascus Way is located at 11th Avenue and 13th Street in Columbus and volunteers can start showing up at 9:30 a.m., Thanksgiving morning.
The Big Gobble
Feeding the Valley will host its annual event, The Big Gobble, throughout the week of Thanksgiving. Over 100 volunteers will help prep, cook, serve meals and drive meals to people in need, according to Shelby Williams, business manager and volunteer coordinator for Feeding the Valley.
“It’s a time for thanks and giving. A little bit helps,” Williams said.
The event, which has been held since 2008, utilizes volunteers every Thanksgiving to drive meals to people who might not otherwise get one. The organization’s goal is to feed 1,500 people this year, a 300 person increase from last year.
Williams said they are still looking for three more drivers, as well as large aluminum pans and three-section to-go boxes.
Anyone interested in being a driver or wanting to donate items can email Williams at swilliams@feedingthevalley.org.
Know of any other turkey or Thanksgiving food giveaways happening in the Chattahoochee Valley? Email the information to tasmith@ledger-enquirer.com.
This story was originally published November 20, 2019 at 8:26 AM with the headline "Where to find a free meal or turkey this Thanksgiving in the Chattahoochee Valley."