3 Ways To Get A Free Turkey This Thanksgiving

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There are a few pertinent reasons why turkey is a Thanksgiving staple. The bird is abundant in North America, and it's believed that indigenous peoples domesticated turkeys as far back as 300 BCE. Abraham Lincoln is even credited as playing a role, as the President pronounced Thanksgiving a holiday in 1863 and invented the concept of presidential turkey pardons when his son Tad objected to the slaughter of a live turkey the family had been gifted. 

It's hard to imagine Thanksgiving without turkey in most households, but lots of consumers are feeling financial strain this year. Rising grocery costs and economic uncertainty are taking a particularly heavy toll this holiday season, so shoppers are looking for low- and no-cost alternatives for staple foods like turkey, as well as other essential fixings. For those who are working with a tight budget this Thanksgiving, we brought together some resources to help you track down a free turkey if possible. These resources might not be available to everyone, and some offers may be contingent on eligibility, but they illustrate that help is available for those who are financially struggling this holiday.

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Food banks and food pantries are essential in the fight against food insecurity. According to Feeding America, which operates food banks all over the country, 53 million people received items from its food banks in 2021 alone. Most organizations focus on canned foods and non-perishable items, but some may have frozen turkeys around Thanksgiving. Availability typically depends on the organization and its resources. For instance, a lack of refrigeration equipment may prevent a food bank from safely storing frozen turkeys. In this case, contact your local food bank or check the website to see if they offer free turkeys. 

In the absence of a whole frozen turkey, many charitable organizations provide free Thanksgiving meals. One such group is Operation Turkey, which accepts requests for Thanksgiving meal delivery. You must be situated in proximity to a distribution center to take advantage of the free meal. Currently, Operation Turkey can deliver meals in regions of Texas, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. You can also find free meals from some regional food banks. Supplies are often limited, so it's best to request a free turkey or meal as early as possible. 

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Churches and other houses of worship often participate in turkey giveaways in anticipation of Thanksgiving. Much like the charitable organizations that dole out free birds, churches often require registration to ensure everyone has a fair shot at getting a turkey. Additionally, supplies are usually limited, which means that frozen turkeys are bound to go fast. 

If you're not a member of a church and aren't sure where to begin, social media is an excellent place to start your search. Many churches post their free turkey events on Facebook and other sites, including dates, times, and availability. In some cases, the church may provide a voucher for a free turkey that can be redeemed later. Turkeys are usually limited to one per person or family, and you may be required to present an ID card upon retrieving the food. While it's not always the case, some churches also require free turkey recipients to attend a service. 

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If you want to save on grocery costs leading up to the holiday, some retailers offer spending incentives in the form of a free turkey. The bird that accompanies these promotions aren't technically free, but they can help consumers stretch their holiday food budgets a bit further. Giant Eagle, a regional grocery chain, promises a free turkey to loyalty card holders that spend $350 over the course of approximately one month. Other retailers have similar offers, including Safeway, B.J.s Wholesale Club, and Hy-Vee (where you get a free turkey with the purchase of a ham). Similarly, Aldi and Walmart have affordable Thanksgiving dinner kits on sale, which both include turkey. Both retailers claim their holiday meal kits can satisfy up to ten people for about $4 per person. 

There are some other strategies that can keep your Thanksgiving budget-friendly too. Consider having a potluck dinner and asking your loved ones to bring one dish each. If you don't have the cookware needed to whip up your turkey, ask friends and family if you can borrow something from them. Planning your menu ahead can also help you make budget-conscious choices. For more help, check out our ultimate guide to prepping for Thanksgiving.