Thanksgiving

Local organizations providing free Thanksgiving meals to thousands in San Diego

The organizations are coming together to ensure thousands of families receive holiday meals in San Diego, San Ysidro and National City

Thanksgiving meals are expected to be cheaper in 2024 as turkey prices drop
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In celebration of Thanksgiving, local organizations and community partners are coming together to fight food insecurity by providing free meals and turkeys to families in need.

Here's where you can find free meals on Nov. 21 across San Diego County:

Feeding San Diego: Holiday distribution for 600 families

When: Thursday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: San Diego Zoo Parking Lot, 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Feeding San Diego will host an event in the parking lot of the San Diego Zoo, where 600 households facing food insecurity will receive fresh produce, pantry staples and holiday essentials.

With more than 350,000 people facing food insecurity in the county — including more than 100,000 children — this initiative seeks to provide relief during the holiday season.

Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and San Diego Padres: 1,000 turkeys for local families

When: Thursday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m.
Where: Best Western Plus Marina Gateway Hotel, 800 Bay Marina Dr, National City, CA 91950

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, in partnership with the San Diego Padres and the National School District, will distribute 1,000 turkeys to pre-selected families with students within the National School District. The event will feature the Sycuan Tribal Council, National School District president Michelle Gates and former Padres player Nick Hundley.

Casa Familiar: 700 dinners for San Ysidro residents

When: Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: San Ysidro Civic Center, 212 W Park Ave, San Diego, CA 92173

Casa Familiar will host more than 700 traditional Thanksgiving dinners at the San Ysidro Civic Center. Renowned chef Wendy Cervantes, along with volunteer chefs from the San Diego Chefs de Cuisine Association, will prepare the meals.

In addition, dinners will be delivered to residents of eight senior apartment complexes in the area.

San Ysidro, one of the lowest-income communities in San Diego, will benefit from this initiative supported by U.S. Bank and Blue Shield California Promise Health Plan.

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