Food & Drink

Get free turkey, other Thanksgiving groceries at these Sacramento and Yolo County spots

By Brianna Taylor

Updated November 17, 2022 9:20 AM

With Thanksgiving just one week away, churches and nonprofit organizations across Sacramento and Yolo Counties are dishing out free frozen turkeys, $15 grocery store gift cards and Thanksgiving fixings to people who need them.

Sift through the list of giveaway events in Sacramento and Yolo Counties and be sure to check the rules on registration and proof of residency before lining up for groceries.

Free thanksgiving groceries in Sacramento County

The following organizations, according to 211 Sacramento website, will be giving away free birds, Thanksgiving sides and grocery store gift cards through Monday, Nov, 21:

SACRAMENTO

Stockton Boulevard Partnership

What: Free frozen turkey
Where: 4605 Broadway, Sacramento
When: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov 19
Contact: 916-801-1827

Proof of residence is not required and turkeys will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis per car.

Bridge Network Corporation Thanksgiving Food Box

What: Free dinner sides baskets, plus a $15 grocery store gift card
Where: 7851 35th Ave., Sacramento
When: 11 a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19
Contact: 916-244-1406

No registration is required and baskets will be given out until they’re gone.

RANCHO CORDOVA

Rancho Cordova Food Locker Thanksgiving Giveaway

What: Thanksgiving food basket giveaway
Where: 10497 Coloma Road, Rancho Cordova
When: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21.
Contact: 916-364-8973

Food will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. When you get to the building, go straight to its main parking lot to fill out a registration slip and swap it for a food basket.

CITRUS HEIGHTS

Sunrise Christian Food Ministry Thanksgiving Drive-Thru

What: Free turkey and Thanksgiving fixings
Where: 5901 San Juan Ave., Citrus Heights
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 and Friday, Nov. 18
Contact: 916-965-5431

Food will be distributed in a drive-thru format on a first-come, first-serve basis. No ticket is required.

“Clients that have received or registered for a holiday distribution at another agency, for the month of November, will be turned away,” Sunrise Christian Food Ministry wrote on 211 Sacramento’s website.

Free Thanksgiving meal kits in Yolo County

Yolo County is scattered with free Thanksgiving meal kit distribution events through Saturday, Nov 19. Each basket includes a turkey, plus a variety of seasonal produce and other ingredients to make a holiday-inspired meal.

Unlike Sacramento County, each Yolo County distribution site listed below will be looking for proof of residency, so be sure to attend the event in the city you reside.

Here’s the list, which is also available on Yolo Food Bank’s website:

KNIGHTS LANDING

Empower Yolo