Thanksgiving is a time when people celebrate their blessings. For many, this means sharing a meal with family and loved ones, but not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to provide a huge meal when the holiday rolls around. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help.
Check out the events and programs below to learn how you can pay it forward this Thanksgiving season.
Free community meals
Many nonprofits, charitable organizations and religious institutions host free meals for the community on Thanksgiving. Some have already occurred, but there are three institutions in Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties that will be hosting free meals on Thanksgiving.
“All are welcome,” said Cindy Carris, the executive director of Mary Rose Mission in Florence.
The Mary Rose Mission’s meal will take place on Thanksgiving Day from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. They are all stocked up on volunteers, but they are still looking for donations of specific food items: apple sauce cups, peanut butter, and jelly. Plus, cash donations are always welcome. Learn more at maryrosemission.org.
Kenton County residents, on the other hand, can head down to Parish Kitchen in Covington from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an early Thanksgiving meal. They don’t need volunteers at this point, but they’re still collecting cash donations and donations of specific items. They’ll be collecting donations of sleeping bags and blankets until Nov. 30. They’ll also accept dessert items and hygiene supplies. Learn more at covingtoncharities.org/parish-kitchen.
Last but not least, Campbell County residents can contribute to a free meal at Hosea House Soup Kitchen in Newport. You can give monetary donations at their website, hoseaserves.org.
Turkey trots & running events
Living Well Fitness, a Walton-based business, will be hosting a run for charity on Thanksgiving morning from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Winners get a free pumpkin pie. It’s $25 to register, and all proceeds benefit the Go Pantry, a food bank active in the region. Learn more and register at runsignup.com. Participants must register by Nov. 27.
Another event, the Run Turkey Run 5K Run and Walk, will take place in Burlington, starting at 9 a.m. Organized by Burlington Baptist Church, registration is $32 and all proceeds benefit the Burlington Student Mission Projects. Winners get a free turkey. Learn more and register at runsignup.com/Race/KY/Burlington/RunTurkeyRun.
Other ways to help
Sometimes, a simple monetary donation, rather than a big event or volunteer labor, is all you need. Several organizations are simply asking for gifts to make Thanksgiving easier for the community.
The Freestore Foodbank is one of the largest food distributors in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region, and it hosts food distribution events all throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. You can learn where food distribution events will occur and how to donate at freestorefoodbank.org.
Meals on Wheels, the well-known meal delivery service, is hosting its 5th annual Bust a Crust fundraiser, which raises money through bulk selling pies and other food (mostly pies, though). Perfect for a holiday office party or other big event, all the money supports the Meals on Wheels mission. Sponsorship packages are also available. Learn more at muchmorethanameal.org/yummy-fundraiser.
St. Vincent de Paul is making Thanksgiving baskets with food for families in need. A $20 donation provides a family of four with a Thanksgiving meal. Larger donations provide larger baskets. Donate at St. Vincent de Paul of Northern Kentucky’s online donation page.
Finally, the Welcome House and the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, two homelessness service providers in the region, are soliciting donations of clothes and other items (and money, of course) for people in the region experiencing homelessness. Although not specifically themed around Thanksgiving, donations benefit the organization’s clientele. You can see how to give monetary donations and view lists of items they need at the organizations’ websites: welcomehouseky.org/ and emergencyshelternky.org.