The Midlands pitches in to help locals celebrate Thanksgiving

This Thursday, many of us will sit down with friends and/or family and give thanks for what we’ve received during 2024. There will no doubt be plenty of fellowship, conversation, family togetherness (for better or worse) and, perhaps most importantly, food.

But some people in Lexington County don’t have that luxury. Due to poverty or food insecurity or a host of other issues, some people risk going hungry or even being stuck out in the cold this Thanksgiving. That’s why organizations all around the Midlands are pitching in to help those in need.

Here are some of the places around our area serving Thanksgiving meals to those in need this year.

SATURDAY, NOV. 23
RCRC Give Thanks Giveaway holds another drive-through turkey giveaway at 10 a.m. at Crane Creek Gymnasium, 7405-B Fairfield Rd. in Columbia.

The Cooperative Ministry’s food bank will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Nazareth Baptist Church at 2351 Gervais St. In addition to Thanksgiving-related items, the food bank will have their regular items in stock.

SUNDAY, NOV. 24
Molina Healthcare of South Carolina and Serve & Connect gives away nonperishable holiday food boxes and turkeys while supplies last from 2 to 5 p.m. This event takes place at Serve & Connect headquarters, located at 8131 Brookfield Rd.

MONDAY, NOV. 25
The Feed the Families Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, organized and presented by Victory Promotions and Palmetto Talent Agency, runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at SPACE 803, located at 2732 Decker Blvd.

Harvest Hope’s Food Bank’s Columbia location at 2220 Shop Rd. will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are currently operating a modified drive-thru pantry, please be prepared to come inside for intake.

TUESDAY, NOV. 26
The Stanley Law Group and Toliver's Mane Event holds a drive-thru turkey Giveaway beginning at 10 a.m. at Toliver's Mane Event at 6102 N. Main St. This giveaway continues only while supplies last and is limited to one turkey per vehicle.

Another Cooperative Ministry food bank with Thanksgiving food options will be open from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Christ Central Ministries, located at 2401 Main St.

THURSDAY, NOV. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)
Chappelle Memorial AME Church Community holds its annual Outreach Dinner in honor of the late Edith General. The dinner at Chappelle Memorial (1101 Pine St.) is either walk-in or drive-through depending on your needs, and it is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Radius Church at 5181 Platt Springs Rd. is having a community dinner beginning at noon. Everyone is welcome.

For a full listing of local food pantries in our area, visit findhelp.org.

Let us know if you are helping the public enjoy Thanksgiving by providing free food!