What Should I Bring?
The heart of our event relies on the generosity of our volunteers. As your "admission" to participate, we ask that every volunteer brings a casserole-sized, Thanksgiving-inspired dish to help us prepare and deliver individual meals to those in need. If you’re unable to bring a large dish of food, you can still contribute by bringing something as simple as a dish green beans or a batch of cookies. Every contribution, big or small, is valuable and helps us create meals. We need everyone to bring something, but it doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming.
All prepared dishes should be ready to serve, in a recyclable container, with a recyclable serving utensil that you won’t need back. Here are a few suggestions for what you can bring:
- Main Dish: Sliced oven-roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, roasted chicken
- Starches: Mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, herb stuffing, scalloped potatoes
- Vegetables: Green bean casserole, roasted carrots, corn, butternut squash
Desserts: Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, spice cake, brownies We’ve removed this option for 2024 since so many have signed up to bring dessert.
In addition to food, we also collect and distribute essential items to the families and shelters we support. Donations are not required, but they make a big impact! Bring those toys your kids no longer use, or clothes, coats, blankets you've been meaning to donate. Even the food you arent using in the pantry is welcome! We’ll ensure everything reaches families and individuals who need extra support this holiday season.
- Undented canned & packaged non-perishable food
- Toiletries (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
- New & gently used clothing for adults, children & babies
- New & gently used children’s toys & books
- New & gently used diverse books. Learn more: MADE FOR ME BOOKS
- New & gently used blankets
- New & gently used coats
- Baby items (diapers, bottles, wipes, bibs, diaper cream, etc)
Where do all the meals and donations go?
We will deliver the meals and donations to shelters, group homes, orgs and churches that have homeless outreach programs, individual families in need, and homeless individuals on the street. All donations will deliver to the orgs we help or individuals in need on Thanksgiving Day. Here are a few of the amazing orgs we are partnering with this year:
Made for Me Books is dedicated to promoting literacy and inclusion with books that celebrate a diversity of stories for young people (K-12th grades). We’re thrilled to partner with them this year to bring more representative books to our community. Check out the MFMB booth at the event!
La Jornada is a vital food pantry serving communities in need across Queens, providing nutritious meals and support to families facing food insecurity. We’re honored to partner with them to help distribute meals and donations this year.
We All Really Matter (W.A.R.M.) is a Harlem-based nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by domestic abuse survivor Stephanie McGraw. W.A.R.M. offers support groups, guidance, and referrals to emergency shelters, focusing on holistic healing to help victims overcome abusive relationships. They also provide wellness packages, training, and counseling workshops to support survivors.
Coalition for the Homeless is dedicated to serving New York City's homeless population through critical services such as emergency food programs, housing assistance, job training, and advocacy for the homeless. We are proud to work with them to ensure meals and donations reach individuals and families in need throughout the city this year.