Here’s how to get a free turkey near you

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and families putting food on the table may be looking for a free or cheap way to do it.

Several grocery chains are offering free holiday items like frozen turkeys to customers who spend a minimum amount or earn enough points. Others offer discounted holiday meals to feed an entire family.

When it comes to free food with no strings attached, food banks and pantries, soup kitchens and faith communities are a great place to start this holiday season.

Here’s what you need to know about how to score discounts at retailers or how to find free Thanksgiving ingredients or meals before the holiday.

Feed America

Feeding America, a national network of food banks and meal programs, offers an online tool where people can enter their zip code and find a food bank near them.

Search by zip code at Feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food/thanksgiving.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels also offers an online tool where people can enter their zip code and find a Meals on Wheels provider near them. Meals on Wheels provides programs and services to seniors across the country.

Search by zip code at eatingonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals.

Spend a minimum amount at these grocery stores and get a free turkey

Several grocery chains across the country are offering free turkey deals leading up to Thanksgiving. Here are some:

Acme Market: Spend at least $300 through November 28th and receive a coupon for a free frozen turkey from Signature Farms
Foodtown: Earn $400 on a Foodtown Club Card and receive a free store-brand turkey
Huge Grocery Stores: Earn 400 rewards points by November 28th and get a free turkey (generally $1 is one point).
Hy Vee: Buy a Hormel Cure 81 ham and receive a free Honeysuckle White frozen turkey all November long
ShopRite: Spend at least $400 on a ShopRite Price Plus Club Card through November 28th and receive a free holiday item like a Bowl & Basket turkey, Cook smoked ham, Empire fried chicken or Stouffer lasagna
Weis markets: Earn 400 points by November 28th and receive a free holiday item such as a turkey, turkey breast, bone-in ham or Tofurky’s vegan ham or roast turkey (generally $1 is one point).
WinCo Foods: Spend at least $125 on any purchase through November 27th and receive a free Honeysuckle White or Jennie-O Turkey

Discounted meals

People looking to balance out a Thanksgiving meal should check out some discounted options at the following retailers:

Aldi dinner package

What it includes: turkey, spices and seasonings, gravy, rolls, macaroni and cheese and stuffing; Ingredients for green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole
Cost: through November 27th, about $47
Servings: Feeds 10

Walmart Holiday Dinner

What it includes: Frozen turkey, rolls, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, pecan pie, spices and seasonings; Ingredients for green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole
Cost: through December 24th, about $52
Servings: Feeds 8

Targeted Thanksgiving meal

What it includes: Frozen turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, turkey stuffing, gravy and green bean casserole ingredients
Cost: $20
Servings: Feeds 4

Kroger Freshgiving Meal

What it includes: Frozen turkey, sweet potato, turkey stuffing, corn, chicken broth, turkey gravy, cream of mushroom soup, crispy fried onions, baby carrots and rolls
Cost: about $27
Servings: Feeds 10

Meijer Deluxe Turkey Dinner

What it includes: Turkey, cranberries, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy
Cost: $60
Servings: Feeds 6

Sam’s Club Thanksgiving dinner

What it includes: Turkey, rolls, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, Brussels sprouts, cranberry crunch salad and mashed sweet potatoes
Cost: $100
Servings: Feeds 10

Greta Cross is a national trends reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].