Where to Get a Free Thanksgiving Turkey in Brooklyn This Year

By Brooklyn Magazine

Thanksgiving might hit a little different for some of us this year. With SNAP benefits still thawing out from the longest government shutdown in history, too many families are finding themselves staring at an empty fridge and a holiday that suddenly feels out of reach. But this borough tends to answer crisis with community—from Flatbush to Bushwick, local organizers, faith leaders, neighborhood crews, and food banks are stepping up—not with empty words of promises, but with actual birds, boxed sides, hot meals, coats, supplies, and the kind of dignity that doesn’t ask anyone to prove they’re struggling. These turkey giveaways aren’t charities; they’re Brooklyn’s way of pushing back against the quiet panic food insecurity brings, especially when federal safety nets can get held hostage or disappear altogether overnight. So if your household is feeling the squeeze, or you know one that might be, breathe easy and send this along.

Below is a list of events and organizations working all across the borough to make sure everyone can have a holiday they’re proud of over the next week (several of which are this weekend or on Thanksgiving proper). Many of these are first-come, first-served, and some may require some sort of RSVP—so be sure to sign up where it’s applicable, and line up as early as you can, to secure supplies while they last. We’ll update this with more as they’re announced.

Courtesy of Brooklyn DA’s Office

November 20

Thanksgiving Harvest Fest 

Lincoln Rd, between Nostrand Ave. and New York Ave.
At noon, a number of partnered local organizations, rallied by State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, will be distributing turkeys, produce, and whole meals for this year’s Harvest Fest.

November 21

Council of People Organization’s Turkey & Halal Turkey Distribution

1077 Coney Island Ave. 

At 10:30 a.m., the Council of People Organization will be distributing 4,000 turkeys (with halal birds available upon request) and chickens to the community at their HQ on Coney Island Avenue in the Midwood/Flatbush Area.

Courtesy of Find Community Connection Project

November 22

Goke Food Pantry’s Turkey Giveaway

622 Cortelyou Rd.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, the Goke Food Pantry will hold its final food distribution event of the month, giving out free turkeys at the Christ Apostolic Church in Kensington. Over 800 birds found tables last year, and they’re hoping to top 1,000 for their 2025 run.

Trinity Human Services’ Turkey Giveaway 

153 Johnson Ave.
At 11 a.m., the Trinity Human Services non-profit will be handing out turkeys and assorted food supplies from their outpost in Williamsburg. There’s no amount mentioned for this one, but the org appears to be giving out tickets for free birds up until the event. Head over to Trinity or the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church at 138 Montrose Ave. for more information.

“The Blessings Don’t Stop” Community Giveaway
684 Linden Blvd.
At 11 a.m., the first annual “Blessings Don’t Stop” community giveaway, a partnership between state assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, rap legend Busta Rhymes (who will also perform), and the IAMWONDAWOMAN Foundation, will be distributing whole turkeys, hot meals, and clothing while supplies last at PS 135 in East Flatbush. Registration is required.

Find Community Connection Project’s Turkey Drive 

495 Flatbush Ave.

At noon, the BKLYN Commons co-working space in Flatbush will be handing out 300+ turkeys to the community. The event is being presented in partnership with 94.7 The Block and Roc Solid, a non-profit from Roc-A-Fella legend Memphis Bleek, who will be at the event lending a hand to the distribution effort.

Herman French SDA Church and The Real World Ministries Present: A Turkey Drive Giveaway 

620 E. 102nd St.
At 4 p.m., Real World Ministries and Herman French SDA Church in East Flatbush will begin the fourth annual installment of their turkey drive and giveaway, partnering with Food Bazaar to crack the 200-bird mark they hit last year.

Courtesy of The Brooklyn Bank

November 23

The Brooklyn Bank’s 8th Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway 

896 Dekalb Ave.
At 10 a.m. on Sunday (and until supplies run out), The Brooklyn Bank in Bed-Stuy will be running back their annual turkey and grocery giveaway for its eighth consecutive year, after distributing over 500 meals to the community and raising more than $20,000 in 2024. This year, they hope to go bigger than ever. Donate to their GoFundMe or volunteer to help out with the effort today. If you plan on attending, registration is required to secure your bird. Make sure to sign up upon arrival.

Crown Heights Bites Back’s “We Got Us”
629 Nostrand Ave.
At 3 p.m., Crown Heights Bites Back, BAJI-NY, and Black Migrant Ecosystem will be packing and passing out meals, canned food, clothing, hygiene kits, and immigration resources in Crown Heights. Both volunteers and recipients are required to register for eligibility.

Courtesy of Essex Street Community Garden

November 24

Essex Community Garden’s Thanksgiving Food Giveaway and Coat Drive

3030 Fulton St.
From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., the Essex Community Garden will be collecting food, coat, and supply donations at their verdant East New York location, and giving away meals to the neighborhood. If you’re dropping off, they’ve put out a call for non-perishables, like canned foods, boxed pasta, and jars of sauce, as well as new and lightly used winter jackets.

Courtesy of Kings Theater

November 25

Kings Theater’s Thanksgiving Day Luncheon 

1027 Flatbush Ave.
At 4 p.m., Flatbush residents can find a full, hot Thanksgiving meal (including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, soup, and more) prepared by the students of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus High School. This year’s Kings Theater Luncheon will also distribute clothes for adults and children, including jackets, scarves, gloves, new socks, and blankets to anyone in need. You can donate supplies at both the Kings Theater lobby and box office.

Courtesy of Environmental Hood Restoration

November 27

The Family Center’s Thanksgiving for All

260 Quincy St.

At 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, The Family Center will be offering whole meals to the community, filling plates with turkey, jerk chicken, mac and cheese, rice and beans, sweet potato pie, and more at the John Wesley United Methodist Church’s food distribution center. It’s unclear how many meals will be on-hand, but last year the org fed over 800 New Yorkers at their Thanksgiving For All feast, and for 2025, they’re aiming for even more.

Environmental Hood Restoration and Promising Wishlist’s Thanksgiving Giveback Drive and Pantry

966 Rutland Rd.
And finally, from noon until 3 p.m., Environmental Hood Restoration and Promising Wishlist are joining forces to cook, collect, and serve hot meals and give out pantry supplies. They’ll also be accepting donations on-site, so even if you don’t need anything for this holiday, come by and support someone who might.