Alright, so Thanksgiving’s just around the corner, and I got to thinking. Every year, there are folks looking for a warm meal, a bit of community, you know? And sometimes, finding reliable info on where to go can be a pain. So, I decided this year, for 2023, I’d do my own little project: try and map out some of these free Thanksgiving dinner spots. Figured I’d share how I went about it, in case it helps anyone else, or if you’re just curious about the legwork involved.
My Starting Point: The Usual Suspects Online
First thing I did, like most people, was hit the internet. Fired up my browser and started plugging in the obvious: “free Thanksgiving dinners 2023,” “community Thanksgiving meals near me,” that kind of stuff. And let me tell you, the first wave of results? A bit of a mess. Lots of articles from last year, or even the year before. You really have to squint at the dates.
I quickly learned to be more specific. Adding “2023” to every search was key. I also tried looking for local news sites, because sometimes they compile lists. But even then, a lot of the information felt a bit vague, like “details to come.” Not super helpful when you’re trying to plan, right?
Digging Deeper: Beyond the First Page of Search Results
So, I started thinking about the kinds of places that usually do this. Churches, community centers, shelters, veteran organizations, food banks. I began searching for those specific types of places in my area, and then checking their websites or social media pages directly. This was a bit more fruitful. Some had banners up or posts about upcoming Thanksgiving events.
But here’s the tricky part: A lot of smaller places, the ones really on the ground doing good work, don’t always have fancy, updated websites. Or the info is buried. That’s when I knew the online search was only going to get me so far.
The Real Work: Picking Up the Phone
This is where the real “practice” came in. I started making a list of potential places from my online searches, even if the info was a bit old, and then I just started calling them. Yep, good old-fashioned phone calls.
I’d ask, pretty directly, “Hi, I’m wondering if you’re planning on hosting or providing a free Thanksgiving dinner this year, for 2023?”
And the responses varied, as you can imagine.
- Some folks were super organized: “Yes! It’s on this date, at this time, here’s the address. No registration needed, just come along.” Music to my ears!
- Others were still in the planning stages: “We think so, but we’re confirming volunteers and donations. Call back next week.” Fair enough.
- A few said, “We used to, but we don’t have the resources this year.” Which is also important to know.
- And sometimes, I’d get voicemails and have to wait for callbacks. Patience is a virtue, folks.
I made sure to ask about details: Is it dine-in or takeaway? Is there a sign-up required? Are there any restrictions or is it open to everyone? Little things that make a big difference.
Compiling What I Found
After a few days of this, I had a much clearer picture. I started jotting down confirmed locations, times, and any specific instructions. It wasn’t a fancy database or anything, just my own notes. I focused on getting concrete details because that’s what people really need.
What I found is that there are places out there, run by amazing people, ready to offer a meal and some company. But you often have to do a bit more than a quick Google search to find the most current, accurate info. The personal touch, making those calls, that seemed to be the most reliable way to confirm things for this year.
So, yeah, that was my little project. Took some time, a bit of phone tag, but it felt good to try and gather some solid information. Hopefully, sharing my process helps you if you’re looking, or just gives you an idea of what goes into finding these things. The key really is to start looking a bit early and don’t be afraid to reach out directly to organizations in your community.
