Although inflation has made the cost of purchasing a Thanksgiving meal pricier than ever, many religious organizations, shelters and nonprofits are providing free dinners to those in need. The city of Albuquerque provides a list of times and locations where families and individuals can enjoy a free holiday meal together. That list is reproduced below with links to the different organizations’ websites.
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 37th annual survey, the cost of buying a Thanksgiving meal for 10 increased 20% since last year. The survey shows that last year the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people was $53.31. This year the average cost is $64.05.
“General inflation slashing the purchasing power of consumers is a significant factor contributing to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan said in a Nov. 16 statement.
For people living on the streets of Albuquerque, the cost of purchasing a full Thanksgiving meal was already beyond their means before inflation made it more expensive. Residents are encouraged to direct the unhoused and those in need to the shelters and homeless service providers listed below to receive a free Thanksgiving meal with others this holiday season. Food, monetary and other donations can be given to various organizations and food pantry locations around Albuquerque as well.
Free Thanksgiving meal sites in Albuquerque
Nov. 21 (Monday)
- 5-6 p.m. – Pre-Thanksgiving meal at Joy Junction
Nov. 22 (Tuesday)
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Steelbridge’s Thanksgiving feast will be served at The Rock at Noon Day. (The Rock at Noon Day is closed for services except for the meal from 10 am to 1 pm)
- 10 a.m. to noon – Thanksgiving meal at HopeWorks (day shelter is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Nov. 23 (Wednesday)
- 9-10:30 a.m. – The Rock at Noon Day will serve breakfast (no other services).
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Joy Junction’s Thanksgiving feast at the Convention Center downtown (get free tickets at various shelters for reserved mealtimes, but no one will be turned away)
- Noon to 2 p.m. – The Albuquerque Indian Center will offer a Thanksgiving meal. All are welcome.
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday)
- 8-9:30 a.m. – Thanksgiving breakfast at Good Shepherd Center
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Boxed Thanksgiving dinners will be handed out at La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper NE (north of Central, east of Louisiana)
- 2-3 p.m. – Thanksgiving dinner at Joy Junction
- Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless (AHCH) will be closed.
- The Rock at Noon Day will be closed.
- Hope Works will be closed.
- First Nations will be closed.
- The Albuquerque Indian Center will be closed.
Nov. 25 (Friday)
- Good Shepherd Center will be open regular hours (including 2-3 p.m. meal).
- Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless (AHCH) will be open regular hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
- First Nations will be closed.
- The Rock at Noon Day will be closed.
- Hope Works will be closed.
Nov. 28 (Monday)
- Noon to 1:30 pm – First Nations Holiday Meal.