MOLINE, Ill. — Thanksgiving is just days away and many community organizations in the Quad Cities are preparing to make sure everyone is fed for the holiday.
If you are looking to find a free Thanksgiving dinner, here are some options in the area.
Don't see an event or offering for free Thanksgiving dinners listed? Email us at news@wqad.com.
Mr. Thanksgiving handing out community dinners once again
Despite initially planning to cancel it, a QC Thanksgiving tradition will live on.
For more than 50 years, Bob Vogelbaugh, better known as Mr. Thanksgiving, has spent the holiday giving out Thanksgiving meals to thousands of Quad Citizens. However, in late October, Vogelbaugh announced that the dinners would be ending.
However, the dinner will instead be making a return to a new home. The annual giveaway will be held at Mercado on Fifth from 4-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 28. Organizers expect to give away 2,000 meals this year.
“I am thrilled to see our community come together to support one another," Vogelbaugh said in a press release announcing the new venue. "It’s heartwarming to know that we will continue providing meals and companionship to those in need. This holiday should be a time of joy, and with the help of our friends and volunteers, we can make that happen!”
Free meals at the MLK Center
Over in Illinois, the MLK Center will be hosting its 35th annual Thanksgiving Meal. Meals include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, a roll, cranberry sauce and dessert. Reservations are only required for those wanting 25 meals or more and can be made here.
MLK Center Executive Director Jerry Jones anticipates they will hand out approximately 5,000 to 6,000 meals. The tradition started as a communal dinner and shifted to curbside during the pandemic. Now, it's taking on a hybrid approach with both options available. Jones said the meal is based on fellowship.
“Being in proximity physically with each other is important for our human spirit, especially during this holiday season," Jones said. "And so this idea of fellowship is connecting with our humanity.”
Pickup will take place the weekend before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22-24, at the MLK Center while supplies last. On Friday, pickup will be from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (drive-through only), Saturday it's from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (drive-through and 25+ meal delivery), and on Sunday it will go from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (dine-in only).
Also this year, meals will be available by drive-through only at TMBC at the Lincoln Center on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 12 to 4 p.m. The Center is located at 318 E 7th St. in Davenport.