Local organizations, churches and nonprofits in the Rogue Valley are stepping up to meet the need for free Thanksgiving meals in the area, and also offering myriad opportunities for volunteers in the community to help out.
Multiple agencies, businesses and organizations in the Rogue Valley are also looking for turkey and other food donations from local residents to help individuals and families in need this Thanksgiving.
Ashland
8th annual Thanksgiving Community Peace Meal
Southern Oregon Jobs With Justice will offer its yearly free Thanksgiving Community Peace Meal from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day. Located at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, 1615 Clark Ave., volunteers will serve turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetarian options and other Thanksgiving staples to visitors in need. Organizers anticipate several hundred attendees, and visitors without transportation or with disabilities can contact Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice for assistance with receiving their meal at sojwj.org/2023/11/15/volunteers-needed-for-thanksgiving-meal. Residents looking to donate food or volunteer to help can find sign up information on the same webpage.
Applegate Valley
Free Thanksgiving dinner
A free Thanksgiving dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Applegate Valley Fire Department Community Center, 1095 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville. The dinner will be hosted by the Ruch Outdoor Community School’s Community 101 student group. For more details, see facebook.com/ruchoutdoorcommunityschool.
Medford
The Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
The Salvation Army will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, in the parking lot of the organization’s store and donation center, 922 N. Central Ave., Medford. The giveaway event will offer free turkeys on a first come, first-served basis. The Salvation Army is seeking turkeys and monetary donations — the organization says it is short 225 birds, or the equivalent of $11,250 in donations. Residents can contact The Salvation Army by phone at 541-773-6965 or drop off turkey donations at the store or the organization’s main office at 304 Beatty St., Medford. For more information, visit jacksoncounty.salvationarmy.org/medford or find Salvation Army Jackson Countyon Facebook.
Turkey dinner at Medford Gospel Mission
A free Thanksgiving dinner will be offered by the Medford Gospel Mission for residents in need from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the group’s headquarters, 125 W. Jackson St., Medford. Beyond serving Thanksgiving meals, the event will offer free foot checkups with a licensed podiatrist and boot giveaways for attendees needing new footwear. The Medford Gospel Mission also offers clothing, toiletries, food and other necessities for people in need from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. To learn more, go to medfordgospelmission.org or call 541-779-1597.
Community Dinner in Medford
First Christian Church will offer a community Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, at the church, 1900 Crater Lake Ave., Medford. The church’s dining room will open to the public with free meals for attendees. For more details, visit mfccor.org or call 541-772-8030.
