Turkey is the time-honored centerpiece of most Thanksgiving Day meals and we’ve gotten used to it being an economical buy, especially as the holiday grows closer.
But with inflation and food prices up more than they were this time last year, everyone’s looking for ways to save money this holiday season, especially since Thanksgiving can still be pricey.
Farm Bureau says the cost of an 8 to 16 pound turkey will likely drop 22% this year, due to the drastic drop in bird influenza cases. The average price per pound of a whole turkey sits at $1.27 per pound.
Even though Thanksgiving might be less expensive this year, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for deals at every chance you get. And the good news is consumers still have plenty of options when it comes to getting inexpensive and even free Thanksgiving turkeys.
We’ve rounded up some of the best deals in 2023 to make sure you have that delicious bird as the centerpiece at your Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, football and of course—turkey! But with the price of groceries continuing to rise, putting a turkey on the table may be too expensive for some families. The good news is there are several places you can get a free turkey this Thanksgiving. In this article, we’ll break down all the ways to score a gratis bird and make sure your holiday feast doesn’t break the bank.
Check With Local Food Banks and Pantries
One of the best places to find a free turkey is your local food bank or pantry. Organizations like Feeding America work with a network of food banks and over 60,000 food programs across the country to help provide food to those in need.
Many food banks offer free turkeys or turkey certificates during the holiday season. For example, the Alameda County Community Food Bank in California expects to distribute over 20,000 free turkeys this year! Food banks may have certain requirements or limitations depending on their inventory and resources Be sure to call your local food bank ahead of time to ask about their Thanksgiving offerings.
You can search for your nearest Feeding America food bank by zipcode on their website. Even if the food bank seems far away they likely work with pantries and other programs closer to where you live. Visiting a local food pantry is another great option to receive free groceries and possibly a turkey.
Check For Turkey Giveaways in Your Area
Many local community centers, places of worship, schools and other organizations hold turkey giveaways each year. These are usually free events where people can pick up a turkey and other holiday meal items while supplies last.
Check event listings in your local newspaper, social media pages, mailers and websites to find turkey giveaways happening nearby. For example, the Society of St. Andrew plans to distribute 18-20,000 turkeys across the country this year through their partnerships. Look for turkey giveaways happening in parking lots, community centers, churches and more throughout November.
Ask Your Local Officials
Some town, city and state leaders coordinate holiday turkey drives or giveaways for their constituents. Reach out to local officials like your mayor, state representative, city council members, etc. and ask if they know of any turkey giving programs.
Officials and their offices often have connections with community organizations that distribute free turkeys. While they may not have turkeys on hand directly, they can point you to resources. This is an easy way to learn about free turkey options you may have overlooked.
Check With Your Employer
Some companies and organizations donate turkeys or offer turkey vouchers to their employees during the holidays. Ask your workplace’s HR department or supervisor if they are participating in any Thanksgiving turkey drives for staff.
Employers like Tyson Foods are donating thousands of turkeys to team members this season. See if your company is spreading some holiday cheer with free turkeys for employees. Even if your workplace doesn’t offer a formal program, you may be able to work with them to provide proof of need.
Reach Out to Religious and Volunteer Groups
If your family belongs to a local church, temple, mosque or other congregation, reach out to the leaders about getting a donation turkey. Many religious groups collect turkeys and other foods to distribute to families in need.
You can also get in touch with nonprofit groups like the Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Elks Lodge, and more. These kinds of volunteer organizations often hold holiday food drives. Let them know your situation and ask to be put on the list for a free turkey.
Search Social Media and Online Forums
Turkey giveaways and requests often pop up in local Facebook groups, Nextdoor pages, Craigslist forums, Reddit threads and more. Browse through community pages both close to your hometown and in surrounding areas.
You may find churches or others users giving away extra turkeys or see requests from people looking for turkey donations. Reply to any requests that fit your situation and explain why your family needs help this holiday. If you have an extra turkey to spare, pay the kindness forward!
Enter Turkey Giveaway Contests
Radio stations, television stations, brands, bloggers and publications often sponsor turkey giveaways through contests and promotions. For example, Butterball has given away over 750,000 turkeys to holiday cooks over the past 30 years through their annual Talk-Line sweepstakes.
Look for contests both locally and nationally to enter. While you likely have tough odds of winning, contests are free to enter and provide a chance at scoring a free bird. Follow brands on social media and browse listings sites for turkey giveaway contests.
Check Grocery Store Programs
Some grocery stores offer promotions like buying a certain amount of groceries to get a free turkey certificate. For instance, in the past Jewel-Osco shoppers have received a turkey voucher for spending $400. Safeway has similarly offered free turkeys with a qualifying purchase.
Reach out to your local supermarket chains to see if they are running any turkey voucher deals. Stores may advertise these promotions in circulars, on shelves or at customer service. If you frequent a particular location, also ask the manager if they offer any turkey discounts for loyal shoppers.
Apply For Turkey Donations
If you have difficulty finding free turkey giveaways, consider applying for a turkey donation. Many food banks and community groups accept applications from families in need of a holiday meal.
Look for donation request forms through organizations like Feeding America, local pantries, places of worship, schools, nonprofits and community centers. The application asks for basic information like your household size, income, and why you need assistance. Submit applications well before Thanksgiving to increase your chances.
Reach Out to Family, Friends and Neighbors
Don’t be afraid to share your situation with loved ones and ask for turkey donations directly. Family and friends may be happy to cover the cost of your bird or donate an extra turkey they purchased. Often, neighbors are also eager to help fellow community members.
Post on your personal social media accounts about needing a turkey this year. Start a neighborhood collection for those willing to pitch in towards a turkey. Tap into your support circles for turkey help this Thanksgiving.
Getting a free turkey may take some effort, but hopefully these tips will point you in the right direction. With a little creativity and planning, you can find a way to get a turkey on the table this Thanksgiving without breaking the bank. Wishing you and your family health, happiness and a hearty holiday feast!
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1 Meals on Wheels
Many Meals on Wheels providers have a program specifically for the holiday season, like this Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels program offered in Minneapolis-St.Paul last year.
These meals consist of turkey, dressing, potatoes, peas, corn, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie and milk. They are delivered directly to your home, and available to all families and individuals in need — not just seniors.
You can see what programs are available in your area by contacting your local Meals on Wheels.
The Salvation Army also gives free Thanksgiving dinners to those in need. Each program is administered locally, so you will want to look up your local chapter.
How to Get a Free Turkey This Year
Luckily, there are a number of grocers who offer free turkey promotions to bring more hungry holiday shoppers into their stores and to help keep budgets in check.
In general, it’s not worth it to spend $300 on random items just to score a bird you could get for $20 to $30. But if you’re going to spend that money anyway, why not get the turkey on the house?
Think about some of the food you’ll be making for holiday celebrations and if you need to stock up on spices, dried herbs or other shelf-stable ingredients, you can buy those now. Stock, flour, sugar, canned goods and more will keep through the next cooking cycle.
One word of warning on our list: All of these offers vary by store, so you’ll want to call ahead to make sure your favorite location is participating.
Here are stores that have announced their free turkey promos for 2023.
Acme is giving away free turkeys when you clip the free turkey coupon on their website.
Then, you’ll have to spend $400 or more while shopping through Nov. 23. After you’ve met that minimum spend, you can claim your free turkey at the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states chain.
Foodtown locations in the Northeast are rewarding customers with a free 10- to 20-pound turkey when they shop with their Club Card. You will need to spend $400 before Thanksgiving.
If you don’t want a whole frozen turkey, you also have the option to choose a ham, a turkey breast, a family size Stouffer’s frozen lasagna, or a $10 Foodtown gift card.
If you can bank 400 Giant Choice Reward points by Nov. 24, you can redeem your points for a certificate for a free turkey up to 20 pounds.
If turkey isn’t your thing, you can also redeem your certificate for a free Stouffer’s family-size lasagna or a free tofurky roast. You can also choose to donate your turkey through Giant to a local food bank.
You can redeem your certificate beginning Nov. 1.
Purchase a Hormel Cure 81 ham or a Honeysuckle turkey , and Hy-Vee will reward you with a free 10- to 14-pound Honeysuckle turkey.
First, you have to earn points on purchases from Oct. 15 through Thanksgiving with your Price Plus club card.
Once you spend a certain amount (check your local store’s circular for details), present your Price Plus club card to the cashier to receive one of 10 free items, including a free turkey up to 21 pounds, turkey breast, chicken, lasagna, Gardein plant-based roast, tofurky, ham or a whole picnic.
You can pick up your free item any day up to and including Thanksgiving Day.
If you’re part of Weis’ rewards program, your reward points could get you a Thanksgiving turkey for free.
It’s pretty simple: From October 15 through November 23, you earn one point for every dollar you spend, and it takes 400 points to receive a free turkey, tofurky roast, tofurky ham, frozen lasagna or frozen mac and cheese.
You also have the option to purchase discounted turkeys and hams after earning 200 points. For example, a Weis frozen turkey can be had for 69 cents per pound after you spend 200 points in the rewards program.
It’s important to note that your points do have an expiration date, which is printed on the bottom of your receipts. You can claim your free turkey until Nov. 23.
If you spend $125 on a trip to WinCo between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22, you can get a free frozen HoneySuckle White or Jennie-O Grade A turkey.
This deal is limited to one turkey per family, while supplies last. And if you’re a Butterball fan, you’re out of luck. The free deal is for Jennie-O and Honeysuckle turkeys only.
A $30 Thanksgiving is Possible in 2023! And How to Get a Free Turkey!
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