Charlotte: Ways To Give Back On Thanksgiving

By this weekend (11/2-3), Halloween 2024 has come and gone. We’ve eaten all the treats we’ve endured the tricks and put our costumes away for next year. It's time to turn our focus to the next holiday, the Thanksgiving holiday, which falls this year on November 28.

Over the years, as my kids were growing up, my husband and I always wanted to teach them to give back. We’ve done the angel tree and we've searched for ways on Thanksgiving Day that we as a family could go help someone in need. Because so many churches donate their time on Thanksgiving, many of the places where they serve food have been booked up, but now that November is beginning and we're just a couple of days after Halloween, it may be a good time to make arrangements for Thanksgiving and maybe sign up to help the homeless and helping those in need during Thanksgiving Day.

So after we all went around the table telling each other what we are thankful for this year, we looked around and we found out that right here in Charlotte, there are many ways that you can give during the Thanksgiving holiday to help those in need and spread some cheer as we get right into the holiday season.

Charlotte Rescue Mission: Donate a frozen turkey and a box of food items to provide a Thanksgiving meal to families in need. You can email Thanksgiving@charlotterescuemission.org for packing and delivery details.

This year, the drop-off dates are Friday, November 22, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday, November 23, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

The drop-off location is – 624 McNinch Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.

ShareCharlotte.org: Give money, time, or goods to nonprofits. On GivingTuesdayCLT, Lowe's will match the first 300 donations of $50 or more.

The first 300 donors who give $50 or more to their favorite nonprofit on November 28th through sharecharlotte.org will have their donation generously matched by Lowe’s in the form of one $50 electronic gift card to that nonprofit!

Meals on Wheels: Deliver meals to people in need.

Salvation Army: Volunteer to serve meals, organize events, or help with donation drives. You can also adopt an angel or silver bell to provide gifts to children and seniors.

Angels & Sparrows Thanksgiving Family 5K: Volunteer at this event.

Charlotte Family Housing: Donate snack foods, paper towels, plates, or deodorant. You can also volunteer to help plan events for children.