The busiest time of the year
Join The Bowery Mission for our cherished, time-honored tradition: the longest-running Thanksgiving meal celebration in New York City! At The Bowery Mission we believe in the power of community, which is why we extend a heartfelt invitation to anyone without a home to join us around our family table on Thanksgiving Day. Our ovens are working around the clock to ensure anyone and everyone has a place to enjoy a warm meal and share in the holiday spirit.
Thanksgiving Day: Free holiday meals and care
At our flagship campus located at 227 Bowery, guests at our annual celebration enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, festive live music and caring community! Hot breakfast will be served between 8 and 9 a.m, and Thanksgiving meals will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outdoor seating will also be available. For information about our year-round programs and services, visit bowery.org/get-help to learn how you can receive care today.
A Thanksgiving story
After 30 years of teaching and coaching, Tony’s life was turned upside down when the pandemic led to an unexpected job loss. He found his way to The Bowery Mission for hot meals — and even joined us for our Thanksgiving Day celebration last year! What began as a need for food soon turned into a journey of healing, forgiveness and new beginnings.
The impact of your support
Thanks to dedicated supporters, donors and volunteers, The Bowery Mission’s Red Doors stay open 365 days a year to provide meals, shelter, clothing, showers and more. It’s more important now than ever, as more than 130,000 people are sleeping in public shelters each night in our city, and an estimated 1 in 6 people in New York City is food insecure. We are grateful for compassionate friends like you who are showing our neighbors in need that they are not alone and that someone cares.
During the months of October and November, we plan to serve 60,000 meals at multiple campuses throughout Manhattan.
Weeks in advance, we start working to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for each guest. We’re already gearing up to prepare 250 turkeys, 4,000 pounds of potatoes and 500 pies! Everything is home-cooked, prepared with love by our faithful staff, supporters and volunteers.
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be hosted for overnight emergency shelter guests at our Tribeca Campus.
Our Residential Program clients at our West Harlem Campus will also prepare and enjoy Thanksgiving meals in community.
Our Mont Lawn City Camp program will distribute 150 turkeys and meal kits to families in East Harlem and the South Bronx. Each festive meal kit includes pantry staples and a grocery gift card to help families create a memorable holiday feast.
Highlights from Thanksgiving 2023
Photo credit: Sean Chee & The Bowery Mission
Ways to support The Bowery Mission this Thanksgiving
Give financially
Donate towards meals, hospitality and other critical care this Thanksgiving. A special holiday meal is just $3.49 each. Think about how many people you can help with your special gift today! It is only possible because of friends like you.
Fundraise
Launch a fundraising campaign to help supply thousands of meals and other care this season! Our easy online platform will help you engage your networks in caring for our neighbors in need. Discover more ideas for corporate and community fundraisers here.
Volunteer
Sign up online for other dates
Thanksgiving Day volunteer opportunities are extremely limited and not open to the general public. We invite you to join us on other available days. Thank you for your interest and understanding!
Thank you for your support
We can’t do it alone. Preparing meals for this many people not only requires a lot of effort, it requires a lot of resources. Your generous heart helps welcome each person who comes to our Red Doors with love, encouragement and hope at a time when they need it most.