For many families in Atlanta, Thanksgiving can be a stressful time. According to local food bank organizations, thousands of households across the city face food insecurity, meaning they don’t always know where their next meal will come from.
And as government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program face delays and cuts, gaps in access and rising grocery costs leave many families scrambling during the holidays. Fortunately, community groups, churches, and nonprofits are stepping in to make sure everyone can enjoy a holiday meal.
Throughout Atlanta and surrounding areas, Thanksgiving food drives and turkey giveaways are happening this year, providing everything from whole turkeys and fresh chicken to baskets of produce and pantry staples. Here’s where Atlanta residents can find help or volunteer to support neighbors in need:
Food Giveaways
Thursday, Nov. 20
The King’s Table Turkey Day Giveaway
Location: New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest
Time: 6 to 10 a.m.
Details: This drive-thru turkey giveaway at Pastor Jamal Bryant’s church is free and open to the public, with no registration required. Around 4,000 Turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: Free Chapel Midtown, 173 14th St. NE, Atlanta
Time: noon
Details: Free Chapel is giving out free cases of fresh chicken on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration required.
Friday, Nov. 21
Henry County Community Food Box Giveaway
Location: J.P. Moseley Park, 1041 Millers Mill Road, Stockbridge
Time: 8 a.m.
Details: Henry County will be holding a drive-thru community food box giveaway. Food will be distributed while supplies last. No sign-up required.
Saturday, Nov. 22
City of Stockbridge Turkey Giveaway
Location: Stockbridge Amphitheater, 4650 N Henry Blvd.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Details: The city of Stockbridge is giving out free turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis.
New Testament Gospel Turkey Drive 2025
Location: New Testament Worldwide Gospel Ministries, 6755 Fielder Road, Rex
Time: 10 a.m.
Details: New Testament’s seventh-annual turkey, clothing, and gas giveaway will provide more than 2,000 turkeys, fresh produce, and essential groceries to families across the region.
Monday, Nov. 24
Planet Fitness Turkey Giveaways
Location: Planet Fitness Stone Mountain, 1900 Rockbridge Road, and Planet Fitness Decatur, 2460 Wesley Chapel Road.
Time: Planet Fitness Decatur’s event begins at 11 a.m and the Stone Mountain location begins at 2 p.m.
Details: 500 free, full-size frozen turkeys will be distributed to residents and club members at the Decatur and Stone Mountain Planet Fitness locations. The event is run on a first come, first served basis.
East Lake Foundation Thanksgiving Food Distribution
Location: Drew Charter School Elementary Academy, 300 Eva Davis Way, Atlanta
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Details: Over 300 food boxes, including ingredients and gift cards for Thanksgiving meals, will be available at this food distribution event. For residents who want to volunteer, you can sign up here.
Cascade United Methodist Church Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway
Location: Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta
Time: 8 a.m to noon
Details: Cascade UMC is distributing Thanksgiving meal essentials to families in need. This event is open to the public and no registration is required.
Fulton County Board of Health Thanksgiving Giveaway
Location: Oak Hill, Child, Family and Adolescent Center, 2805 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta
Time: noon to 2 p.m.
Details: The Fulton County Board of Health will be giving out turkeys, canned goods, diapers, and other community resources at this event.
Volunteer Opportunities
Location: 3400 North Desert Drive, Atlanta
Details: The Atlanta Community Food Bank has volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups to help package and distribute food this holiday season. For more information on how to volunteer or support the organization, click here.
Location: 2545 Forrest Hills Drive SW, Atlanta
Details: Hosea Helps offers free emergency groceries and services for families in need. Information on how to support or volunteer with the group founded by civil rights leader Hosea Williams can be found here.
Location: 1260 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta
Details: MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that provides resources to communities in Georgia. To volunteer or support their work, click here.
Holiday Events
Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta
When: Now to Jan. 11
Details: The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual event Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, will feature light-up tree sculptures and the world’s largest curtain of synchronized light and sound. Tickets start at $39.95 for adults and $36.95 for children.
Center for Puppetry Arts: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Location: 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta
When: Now to Dec. 28
Details: The Center for Puppetry Arts is putting on shows of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the holiday season. Tickets for adults start at $26 and $22 for children.
Illuminights at the Atlanta Zoo
Location: 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta
When: Nov. 21 to Jan. 18
Details: Lanterns and lights will be lit up at the Atlanta Zoo. Tickets for adults begin at $20.99 and tickets for children begin at $17.99.
