Each year, local organizations and community groups in the Charlotte area sponsor Thanksgiving turkey and food giveaways, to make sure families facing food insecurity or financial hardship can gather together for a traditional meal.
We’ve just started adding events to this list for 2026. We expect many more to be added very soon!
We’re collecting as many of these turkey giveaways and food distribution events as we can find, and listing them here. We are also included free in-person meals.
If you know of someone who might benefit from this information, please share it with them!
And if your group is hosting a food giveaway that you’d like to list here, please fill out this form to submit an event.
If you’re in need of food, please also check out Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which is a good central point for many resources, and The Bulb, which distributes pay-what-you-can produce at many regularly scheduled markets.
2026 Thanksgiving Food Giveaways and Free Meals
R.A.C.E. Foundation
R.A.C.E. Foundation Turkey Giveaway
Saturday, November 7, 2026
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
What’s Next Ministry
4305 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC
Hosted by R.A.C.E. Foundation, in partnership with What’s Next Ministry and Second Harvest Food Bank. Residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, and surrounding areas who are in need of a turkey for Thanksgiving, are welcome to come by for a FREE turkey and food bag. This is a drive-thru event.
No registration required. First come, first served, while supplies last. Limit of one turkey per family or household.
Marquee Charlotte
Marquee Charlotte, 3131 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, is giving away $25 Butterball gift checks, to be redeemed for a turkey or other product, where Butterball products are sold. Registration is required, and is limited to 500 people. This giveaway is intended for families in need. Pickup will be November 15, 2026. Details here.
Be the Lite Poultry Giveaway
Be the Lite Poultry Giveaway
Saturday, November 21, 2026
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bethel Temple Faith Church
Moss Plantation Ave. Concord, NC 28027
Be the Lite CDC and the Bethel Temple Faith Church will be giving free poultry to every household who registers, while supplies last. Look for updates on Be The Lite’s Facebook page.
Sammy’s Bar
Sammy’s Neighborhood Bar, 12740 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, North Carolina, will be open on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. Not only that, but it will be serving up FREE Thanksgiving dinner.
Stop by between noon and 1 a.m. for a free Thanksgiving dinner, with all the trimmings.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Upcoming Food Distribution Events
Learn about food pantries and food distribution events in the Charlotte area. Or see a few upcoming food distribution events:
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