In a heartwarming display of generosity, numerous organizations are working tirelessly to ensure that individuals seeking a hot meal this Thanksgiving will not go hungry.
CityTeam is gearing up to provide an impressive feast, preparing 50 turkeys, a staggering 300 pounds of creamy mashed potatoes, and an assortment of vegetables totaling 200 pounds for residents of Santa Clara County grappling with food insecurity. Collaborating with other nonprofits and faith-based groups, CityTeam is dedicated to distributing free meals complete with all the beloved Thanksgiving staples, from savory stuffing to tart cranberry sauce.
This season of giving coincides with a significant increase in food stamp levels, reaching the highest point in a decade. The rise in assistance is a response to soaring food prices and the expiration of relief resources that became available during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of free meals available on Turkey Day is facilitated by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization that serves as the primary food bank for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. This vital resource distributes dried goods and fresh produce to 400 nonprofit organizations in the area, providing sustenance to an astounding 500,000 individuals each month.
However, Second Harvest CEO Leslie Bacho revealed that the organization is not immune to financial challenges, facing budget constraints after losing crucial pandemic funding. Typically, the nonprofit relies on purchases and donations of turkey, but it has had to pivot, increasingly depending on donations and offering more chicken in its distributions.
Still, Bacho reassured the community that there remains an ample supply of food available. “When you picture these distributions, a lot of people picture folks coming in (and) feeling just really downtrodden,” she explained to San José Spotlight. “And in fact, what you’ll see at these distributions is just so much gratitude.”
In the days leading up to the holiday, residents can visit Sacred Heart Community Service, located at 1381 S. First St. in San Jose, to collect Thanksgiving boxes. This significant distribution center will provide boxes filled with essential goods on November 25-27, and will also offer non-cooking food boxes specifically for homeless individuals.
Demone Carter, the director of community engagement at Sacred Heart, expressed his expectation that approximately 3,000 individuals will seek resources during this three-day event. While he appreciates the effort of nonprofits stepping up to meet this need, he emphasized that such situations should not be necessary in an affluent region. “It’s actually criminal that people have to come to get these resources,” he remarked. “While we’re here to address the present need, we never take our focus away from that. This is actually an injustice that this even has to exist.”
On Thanksgiving Day itself, organizations such as CityTeam and Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen will host community meals, serving up hot plates brimming with festive delights.
CityTeam anticipates serving 750 meals at their site on 580 Charles St. in San Jose and will also distribute hygiene kits to homeless residents in need. This meal is significantly supported by individuals participating in CityTeam’s restorative residential program, which offers a year-long addiction recovery experience. Food Service Manager Reynolds Stewart, who has been orchestrating this meal for over 13 years, described it as a deeply rewarding day for all involved.
“I feel really good, but I also feel (great) from teaching the men that are in this program how to give back to someone else other than your own self and the addiction that you went through,” Stewart shared with San José Spotlight.
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen is bringing a new feature to its Thanksgiving festivities this year by providing transportation for attendees to its location at St. Francis Cabrini Parish on 15333 Woodard Road. After enjoying their meals, residents will be safely transported back to the locations from which they were picked up. Pick-up and drop-off points in San Jose include Christ the King Catholic Church, St. John Vianney Parish, the Jerry Larson Food Basket, as well as the Loaves & Fishes office and Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution.
Stephenie Medina, the director of development at Loaves & Fishes, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming holiday meal. “It’s a really important time of year to have a warm meal and a community environment where people can come and enjoy and be served with dignity,” she stated. “That’s really what we are excited to be doing this year on Thanksgiving.”
Free meals and food boxes during Thanksgiving week
Thanksgiving food distribution and dinners
Monday, Nov. 25:
Sacred Heart Community Service
- Thanksgiving food box distribution from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1381 S. First St. in San Jose
Catholic Charities
- Thanksgiving meals for seniors and homeless, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 195 E. San Fernando St. in San Jose
Tuesday, Nov. 26:
Sacred Heart Community Service
- Thanksgiving food box distribution from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1381 S. First St. in San Jose
St. Joseph’s Family Center
- Thanksgiving drive up grocery services from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 7950 Church St. Ste A in Gilroy
CityTeam
- Thanksgiving grocery pickup from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Willow Glen Bible Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
Cathedral of Faith
- Thanksgiving grocery pick from 9 a.m. to noon at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. in San Jose
Catholic Charities
- Thanksgiving meal for seniors and homeless, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m at 195 E. San Fernando St. in San Jose
Martha’s Kitchen
- Meal service from 4-5 p.m. at 311 Willow St. in San Jose and grocery pickup from 4-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 27:
Sacred Heart Community Service
- Thanksgiving food box distribution from 9 a.m. to noon at 1381 S. First St. in San Jose
St. Joseph’s Family Center
- Thanksgiving drive up grocery services from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 7950 Church St. Ste A in Gilroy
Cathedral of Faith
- Thanksgiving grocery pickup from 9 a.m. to noon at 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. in San Jose
Martha’s Kitchen
- Meal service from 4-5 p.m. at 311 Willow St. in San Jose
Salvation Army
- Traditional Thanksgiving Meal at 11:30 a.m. for senior citizens and noon for the community at 359 N. Fourth St., San Jose
Thursday, Nov. 28:
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
- Hot meal service from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Cabrini Parish 15333 Woodard Road in San Jose
CityTeam
- Hot meal from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 580 Charles St. in San Jose
How does Loaves & Fishes ensure that the meals served during Thanksgiving provide a dignified experience for attendees?
**Interview with Stephenie Medina, Director of Development at Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Stephenie! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, can you share a bit about what Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen has planned for this year?
**Stephenie Medina:** Thank you for having me! This year, we’re truly excited about our Thanksgiving festivities. We will be hosting a warm community meal at our location at St. Francis Cabrini Parish. One of the new features we’re offering is transportation for attendees, so they can enjoy their meals without worrying about how to get there or back home. We want to ensure everyone arrives safely and is able to enjoy the day with us.
**Interviewer:** That sounds wonderful! Can you tell us more about the sort of meals you’ll be serving?
**Stephenie Medina:** Absolutely! Our meals will include all the classic Thanksgiving staples—roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and delicious sides. It’s important for us to create a welcoming and dignified environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear that you’re focusing on dignity and community spirit. How do you see this meal helping those in need during the holiday season?
**Stephenie Medina:** This time of year is about coming together and sharing. Many individuals and families in our community face food insecurity, and a warm meal can be a simple yet powerful way to connect. We want to provide not just food but also a sense of belonging. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who comes to our meal feels respected and appreciated.
**Interviewer:** There’s been a significant increase in food assistance recent years; has that affected your organization or the way you operate?
**Stephenie Medina:** Yes, with the rise in food costs and ongoing financial challenges for many, our services are more important than ever. However, we’re seeing a strong community response, from food donations to volunteer support. Everyone is stepping up to help, which is heartening. We continue to adapt to the evolving needs of our community.
**Interviewer:** It must be fulfilling to see such support. What message would you like to share with the community as Thanksgiving approaches?
**Stephenie Medina:** I want to remind everyone that giving and receiving help is a shared human experience. Let’s focus on compassion and kindness—not just during the holidays, but all year round. We’re here to support one another, and that’s the essence of community. If anyone is in need, we encourage them to come see us; everyone is welcome here.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Stephenie, for sharing your insights and the important work that Loaves & Fishes is doing this Thanksgiving. We appreciate your time!
**Stephenie Medina:** Thank you for having me. We look forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!
