Thanksgiving can be a beautiful time of connection for some, but it can also be incredibly hard for others, especially when money is tight. In Pittsburgh, no one should have to choose between paying bills and enjoying a Thanksgiving meal. Pittsburgh, thankfully, is a city of neighbors. It is filled with organizations, volunteers, churches, community centers, and regular people who believe in showing up for one another.

If you’re having a tough year and need a little extra help this season, there are many places offering free Thanksgiving meals across Pittsburgh — no questions asked. From sit-down dinners to drive-through distributions and home-delivered meals for those without transportation, there are options for everyone.

Below are some of the places in Pittsburgh that are offering a Thanksgiving meal, free and cheap groceries, take-home meal options, or even free desserts. If you’re looking to volunteer this Thanksgiving season, follow the links to lend a hand. It’s not too late to remind your fellow Pittsburghers that they’re not alone this Thanksgiving.

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Distribution and Health and Human Service Fair Credit: Photo Courtesy Urban League of Pittsburgh

East End Cooperative Ministry

East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty is hosting a free Thanksgiving Community Meal at its Community House on Thursday, Nov. 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The meal is served at 6140 Station St. and includes a full Thanksgiving spread with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie, and other sides. EECM is clear that this lunch is completely free for anyone who attends, and they also welcome volunteers and food donors who want to help support the event. 

Greater Wilkinsburg Community Advancement Association

The Greater Wilkinsburg Community Advancement Association is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Distribution on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the Harold Young Sr. Parklet and is open to the public. This festive community event invites everyone to come together and enjoy support during the holiday season.

Third Space Bakery

Third Space Bakery Pie for a Neighbor is a great program if you’d like to give back something sweet this season. While ordering your bread or pie for Thanksgiving, you can also buy a “donation pie” through the Pie for a Neighbor option. This year, Third Space is working with 412 Food Rescue to provide the extra pies to those in need. You can donate a pie through Nov. 25.

Albright Community Thanksgiving Eve Dinner

Friends of Albright are holding the 51st Annual Albright Community Thanksgiving Eve Dinner on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. The dinner is served in the social hall of The First United Methodist Church at 5401 Centre Ave. in Shadyside (above the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library). This is a long-running neighborhood tradition that started in 1974, and organizers emphasize that it is a free community event where all are welcome for a hot, home-cooked turkey dinner in a very mixed, community-centered crowd. Donations are still needed, and you can donate on their GoFundMe page. 

St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church

In Carnegie, St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues its Thanksgiving Day Open House tradition with a free Thanksgiving dinner. The church offers a classic holiday menu with turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, and more. This year, at 220 Mansfield Blvd. in Carnegie, you can join the Thanksgiving service at noon, followed by the free dinner from 12:30-4:30 p.m. There are takeout and delivery dinners available for those in need in greater Carnegie, Green Tree, Crafton, Ingram, Bridgeville, Pennsbury Village, Heidelberg, Scott Township, Rennerdale, Rosslyn Farms, and Thornburg. Dinner delivery needs to be pre-ordered by Nov. 25.

Urban League of Pittsburgh

The Urban League of Pittsburgh will provide free groceries to those who intend to celebrate Thanksgiving but cannot afford to make a turkey dinner. On Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will distribute free groceries at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. downtown, specifically aimed at people who want to celebrate Thanksgiving but cannot afford the cost of a turkey dinner. The Urban League expects to serve more than 900 families and frames the event as both a holiday meal resource and a connection point to other support services. 

Pittsburgh Equality Center

For the local LGBTQ community, the Pittsburgh Equality Center is hosting GaysGiving 2025 on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at COhatch SouthSide Works, 2681 Sidney St. It’s an affirming, community-centered holiday event where LGBTQIA+ folks and allies share a meal and celebrate chosen family. The event operates on a $10 suggested donation basis, but admission is free if you bring a Thanksgiving dish to share, effectively making it a pay-what-you-can/potluck hybrid that still gets people a holiday meal even if they can’t pay. COhatch South Side Works is fully ADA accessible with ample parking for all and easy access to public transportation. 

TransYOUniting

TransYOUniting’s 9th Annual TransGiving is celebrating nine years of love with hot Thanksgiving meals for anyone who needs one. You can come and enjoy a meal with the community or have your meal delivered.  To reserve a meal for yourself or your household, fill out this form. To volunteer, you may fill out this form. If you can’t volunteer but still want to help, you can also text TGIVING to 53555 to donate and support this year’s TransGiving. TransYOUnited is taking sign-ups until November 25. 

Metro Community Health Center

Metro Community Health Center will be taking over the lot at 331 Penn Ave. in Wilkinsburg for a Turkey & More Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be handing out turkeys and Thanksgiving sides to help the Wilkinsburg community and its neighbors for the upcoming holiday. This giveaway is first-come, first-served, while supplies last, and no registration is required.

Light of Life Rescue Mission

The Light of Life Rescue Mission on the North Side is hosting a Thanksgiving Day dine-in meal on Thursday, November 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Voeghtly Street Shelter. The dinner is open to anyone who needs a place to go for the holiday, and the Mission expects to serve more than a thousand meals throughout the afternoon. Every Year, Light of Life also assembles Thanksgiving Dinner Boxes for families and seniors in Pittsburgh who might otherwise be without a holiday meal. This year, they’re hoping to provide 2,800 Thanksgiving boxes that will serve 22,400 area residents.

#BurghProud Team Distribution

The #BurghProud Team Distribution, a collaboration between the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins, along with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Giant Eagle, will hold a drive-through distribution on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mazeroski Way cul-de-sac beside PNC Park. Cars may receive up to two shares that include a turkey, fresh produce, an apple pie, and a $15 Giant Eagle gift card while supplies last.

Coraopolis United Methodist Church

Coraopolis United Methodist Church is hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27. The meal is offered dine-in style and is open to anyone who would like to share a hot meal and fellowship on the holiday. The free dine-in meal will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church’s dining hall, located at 1205 Ridge Ave. in Coraopolis. Everyone is welcome; no reservations are required.

Workshop PGH

Workshop PGH is offering free home-cooked meals and groceries for anyone in need on Weds., Nov. 19, and Weds., Nov. 26, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at 321 Pennwood Ave. in Wilkinsburg. Individuals and families are welcome to request meals or grocery support by filling out this form or emailing helloworkshoppgh@gmail.com. Community members who would like to donate or volunteer can also fill out the form to get involved. For those who are without transportation, Workshop PGH is offering a volunteer drop-off option.

Crafton United Presbyterian Church

Crafton United Presbyterian Church will serve a community Thanksgiving dinner earlier in the season on Sat., Nov. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. The dine-in celebration takes place at 80 Bradford Avenue in Crafton and is available to all who would like to attend.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – Talking Turkey

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is running its annual Talking Turkey campaign in partnership with local food pantries, aiming to provide turkeys and holiday groceries to more than thirty thousand families across the region. Residents can use the Food Bank’s “Find Food” tool online or contact their helpline to locate a distribution site nearby.

ALDI

And finally, while it’s not free, for those preparing Thanksgiving at home on a tight budget, ALDI is offering a deeply discounted holiday basket that includes a turkey and traditional sides for about forty dollars, available in-store and online through Dec. 24. This deal is designed to help families put a full holiday meal on the table for less than four dollars per person. This is also a cost-effective resource if you want to purchase and directly donate a meal to a family in need.

This article appears in Nov. 12-18, 2025.

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