Flint Unites to Feed Families This Thanksgiving

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Turkey drives and Thanksgiving giveaways are helping to feed families this holiday. Courtesy photo.

FLINT, Michigan — In Flint and Genesee County, this year’s turkey drives are carrying a little more weight than usual. Earlier this month, a pause in SNAP benefits left many families scrambling to stretch what remained on their EBT cards. Although benefits have since resumed, the disruption arrived at the worst possible time — right as families were preparing for the holiday grocery season.

For parents planning meals on a tight budget, the pause meant adjusting shopping lists, delaying purchases, or hoping the benefits would return before Thanksgiving essentials sold out. And while the restart provided relief, it didn’t erase the stress many households felt in those weeks.

Still, in true Flint fashion, the community didn’t hesitate to respond. Churches, nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, and local foundations mobilized quickly, increasing the number of giveaways and expanding their reach to make sure no family is left without a holiday meal. Organizers across the county say they’re anticipating larger crowds this year — and they’re ready for them.

From drive-thru distributions to hot meals and sit-down dinners, there are numerous opportunities throughout the week of Thanksgiving for residents to receive support. Here’s where you can find help, a turkey, or a warm holiday plate this season:

Friday, Nov. 21:

Drive-thru Turkey Giveaway – Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village | 4 p.m., 4400 S. Saginaw St., Flint

Saturday, Nov. 22:

3rd Annual Turkey Giveaway – Flint Cultural Center | 11 a.m., 1200 Robert T. Longway Blvd., Flint

6th Annual Food Giveaway – Bethel United Methodist Church | 12 p.m., 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Flint

A volunteer helps to organize and hand out food boxes and turkeys to families arriving at Holy Redeemer's outreach drive through. — Jenifer Veloso | Flintside – A volunteer helps to organize and hand out food boxes and turkeys to families arriving at Holy Redeemer’s outreach drive through.

Sunday, Nov. 23:

3rd Annual Turkey Giveaway – NTC (New Testament Community) Church | 11 a.m., 3484 S. Belsay Rd., Burton

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway – Sugarbush Golf Club & The Captain’s Club | 11 a.m., 10200 Woodfield Dr., Grand Blanc

Annual Turkey Time Drop – Anthony Dirrell & Dirrell Chance Foundation | 1 p.m., 1401 W. Dayton Ave., Flint

Monday, Nov. 24:

Thanksgiving Carry-out Meals – Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation & MCC Culinary Institute | 2–5 p.m., 550 S. Saginaw St., Flint

Cristina Wright – Staff and volunteers at Bethel United Methodist Church distribute food and other resources to Flint residents.

Tuesday, Nov. 25:

17th Annual “Blessed to Be a Blessing” Dinner – Well of Hope & Catholic Charities | 4 p.m., 812 Root St., Flint

Wednesday, Nov. 26:

Free Turkey Dinners – 810 Munchies | 2 p.m., 3600 S. Dort Hwy., Flint

Thanksgiving Eve Dinner – Salvation Army of Genesee County | 4:30 p.m., 1475 W. Coldwater Rd., Flint

Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day):

Thanksgiving CommUNITY Lunch – The Barn | 11 a.m., 715 Torrey Rd., Fenton

Thanksgiving Dinner – North End Soup Kitchen | 11:30 a.m., 735 E. Stewart Ave., Flint

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – Richfield Reaching United Methodist Church | 5 p.m., 10090 Coldwater Rd., Davison