Organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area have food and resources available for those in need of free food for the Thanksgiving holiday.

DALLAS — The cost of a typical Thanksgiving dinner dropped again this year according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, but persistent inflation, among other issues, can make buying food for the holiday meal a challenge.

Organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area have food and resources available for those in need of free food for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Here are some options still available for those looking for a Thanksgiving meal.


Free food for Thanksgiving in Dallas-Fort Worth

  • Operation Turkey: Volunteers with Operation Turkey prepare, package and deliver meals to those in need on Thanksgiving. Meals are delivered between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. To request a meal, click here.
  • Dream Center Thanksgiving: The Dream Center at 1900 S. Ewing Avenue in Dallas will hand out free Thanksgiving meals to the Oak Cliff community at 1 p.m. Nov. 26. For more information, click here.
  •  MLK Fresh Produce Distribution Center: The center at 2922 MLK Boulevard in Dallas offers fresh fruits, vegetables, and dry goods for free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. 
  • Norma’s Cafe: The longtime Oak Cliff eatery at 1123 West Davis Street is serving up a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For more information, click here. 
  • Thanksgiving For Your Service at The Statler: Active first responders, military, veterans and their immediate families can receive a free dinner on Thanksgiving Day for the eighth consecutive year. There will be two services — one at 11 a.m. and one at 3 p.m. For more information, click here. 
  • Mission Arlington: The organization will deliver turkeys, hams, food baskets, and cooked meals to the homes of more than 6,000 families starting at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving. For more information, click here. 
  • Taste Project: The restaurant at 1200 South Main Street will host a pay-what-you-can Thanksgiving brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For more information, click here. 
  • Fort Worth ISD: Fort Worth ISD is offering free student meals from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. through Nov. 26 at the following campuses: Alice Contreras Elementary, 4100 Lubbock Ave., C.C. Moss Elementary, 4108 Eastland St., Briscoe Elementary, 2751 Yuma Ave., Manuel Jara Elementary, 2100 Lincoln Ave., Clifford Davis Elementary, 4300 Campus Drive, Diamond Hill Elementary, 2000 Dewey St. and Maude I. Logan Elementary, 2300 Dillard St. For more information, click here.