Where to find a free Thanksgiving Day meal in Merced

This has been a challenging year for many Merced County residents due to ever-rising grocery and gas prices and delayed SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown.

As we enter the holidays, several local organizations are stepping up to offer free Thanksgiving meals to anyone who needs them.

Thanksgiving Day of Giving

Hosted by Rising Empowerment Sports Ministries, this event will include free hot meals, free haircuts, and affordable kids’ clothing for sale. It is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Address: 1309 Broadway, Atwater, CA Call: (866) 573-5537

Thanksgiving Eve Banquet

The Merced Rescue Mission will be serving meals from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. Address: Legion Hall, 939 W. Main Street, Merced Call: (209) 947-8493

The Rescue Mission is still seeking donations and its most-needed items are: Stuffing mix, large cans of corn, and large cans of green beans. Volunteers to help serve food are asked to show up at 9 a.m. to help set up and encouraged to bring a pie as a donation for dessert.

Plenty of Plates Potluck

Hosted by CalPride, this event is a “safe space all day for queer folk and allies,“ according to its flyer, which continues, “We know this time of year can be tough, so let’s come together to support each other. “ Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share. The space will be open on Nov. 27 from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. Address: 710 W 18th Street, Suite 18, Merced Call: (209) 749 2051

For people looking for groceries:

Over the past week, organizations including the Merced County Food Bank and Walking By Faith Ministries have distributed turkeys to hundreds of Merced-area residents.

If you missed these food distribution events, there is still an opportunity to pick up free bags of vegetables at the Winton Community Center. It is located at 7081 N Winton Way in Winton and the giveaway begins at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Many of these organizations are accepting donations and the Merced County Food Bank is always accepting donations that support families during the holiday season and beyond.

This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM.

Aysha Pettigrew

Merced Sun-Star

Aysha Pettigrew is the economic mobility reporter for the Merced Sun-Star and a California Local News fellow. Prior to this role, Pettigrew worked as an administrator for the UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program.