SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The feasting holiday is a week away and area agencies are preparing to host free meals for community members.
READ MORE: Community Thanksgiving grocery giveaway begins this weekend
In addition to the Thanksgiving grocery giveaway taking place Saturday at the MLK Center for families in need, those who don’t have the means to cook can still enjoy a traditional meal.
Below is a list of where to enjoy Turkey Day, free of charge, or for volunteers to help make and serve food.
City of Wilmington MLK Center
401 S. 8th St.
The 19th annual Senior Thanksgiving Lunch at the MLK Community Center is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Annually, hundreds of meals were passed out, consisting of turkey, ham, stuffing and vegetables. Interested parties can reserve a spot by calling (910) 341-7866.
The Healing Place
1000 Medical Center Drive
An addiction recovery center and shelter that opened earlier in the year and welcomes anyone through its doors to enjoy a community meal. Lunch and dinner will be served from noon to 7 p.m.
The agency is accepting food donations through Nov. 19, including green beans, black eyed peas, collard greens, cranberry sauce, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup, frozen turkeys and hams, and boxed items, such as dried macaroni, fried onion topping, and rolls. Reach out here for inquiries.
The Healing Place helps people with addiction issues and homelessness free of charge. Programs include longterm residential treatment to outpatient care, an overnight emergency shelter and more.
Northside Feast of Hope
2501 N. College Rd.
Free Thanksgiving meals will be provided for pick up via drive-thru or delivery. Each order contains a Thanksgiving plate, dessert, care package (by request only), and a message of hope.
Orders should be placed by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 22, especially large orders. All items will be loaded into the vehicle by volunteers.
Walk-up orders are also allowed on the playground entrance and people can eat onsite in the nearby patio area outdoors; the building is closed off to volunteers only.
Anyone who wishes to cook, bag food, deliver, clean up or lending a helping hand in any other capacity can sign up here.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
St. Mark’s Catholic Church
1011 Eastwood Rd.
The congregation welcomes families and community members in the Parish Hall to gather for a meal from noon to 2 p.m.
RSVPs must be made by Friday, Nov. 17, for both dining in (click here) or taking out (click here). For to-go orders, the number of meals needed is required.
Any one who wishes to volunteer with the church for dinner preparations — serving, setting up or cleaning and breaking down — can register here.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
600 Grace St.
Annually, St. Mark’s hosts a neighborhood community Thanksgiving dinner. The food ministry has planned it for Saturday, Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
More information can be found out by calling (910) 540-3143.
The Thanksgiving Project
Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 800 Piner Road
The Presbyterian church feeds roughly 1,500 meals to families within the community every holiday. The Thanksgiving Project takes place Thursday, Nov. 23, 5:30 p.m., this year.
Volunteers are needed to help. They can make a cash donation, buy and bake a turkey to return to the church fully cooked on Nov. 22, 5 p.m., or carve, slice and prep the Thanksgiving sides at the Myrtle Grove Gym on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Day-of help is also needed beginning at 9:30 a.m. to box meals and deliver them to families throughout the community. Delivery drivers will pick up meals from the church at 11 a.m. and receive their routes
Sign up here.
Trinity United Methodist Church
1403 Market St.
Three seatings are being offered at Trinity United Methodist Church for people to come together and enjoy Thanksgiving: 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The church congregation is coming together to cook and serve the meal, which will consist of turkey and fixin’s, desserts and drinks.
To reserve a time, email here or call (910) 762-3316.
Rainbow House Friendsgiving Brunch
115 Marstellar St.
Mosaic New Faith Community is hosting a Friendsgiving Brunch during Trans Week of Remembrance to celebrate the love of chosen family. The community is invited to bring a dish or dessert to share and join in the backyard Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. Coffee and juice will be provided.
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