Thanksgiving is approaching, and the Northwest Philadelphia region has much to offer residents during a holiday marked by family gatherings, healthy appetites and lots of goodwill.

Neighborhood dinners, food giveaways, and community fridge resources are making sure residents can share in the holiday spirit by providing food for a delicious meal at home, or offering an invitation to dine with neighbors at a Thanksgiving table. 

Here’s a round-up of what to expect around the Thanksgiving holiday throughout the Northwest.

Community Dinners and Giveaways

Kicking things off on Saturday, Nov. 18, Councilmember Cindy Bass will host a turkey giveaway at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center in Germantown, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To register for a free turkey, call (215) 686-3424.

Gatherings with dine-in options will also be in effect during the week of Thanksgiving, starting with the 6th Annual Pleasant Gratitude Community Dinner at Pleasant Playground. The Mt. Airy playground is hosting its free community dinner on Monday, Nov. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

According to the Pleasant Playground website, the meals include “dishes traditionally associated with the holiday, as they are seasonal comfort foods,” and the menu will also consider the dietary needs of dinner guests in a meal prepared by professionals with safety certifications. 

To volunteer for serving and preparing dishes, or to donate to the event, email mypleasantplayground@gmail.com.

On Nov. 21, Center in the Park community center in Germantown will hold a Thanksgiving luncheon at 11 a.m., hosting an event with holiday meals, live music, and neighborhood bonding. 

Chef Yusef McCoy will cater the event where attendees will be serenaded by the sounds of The Big Bad Band. Tickets cost $6 for the members of Center in the Park and $8 for guests.

Tickets are available in the program office of the community center. Call (215) 848-7722 ext. 225 for any additional questions.

Also on Nov. 21, The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill’s Center on the Hill will be adding to the local holiday celebrations with their community luncheon. The church encourages people throughout the neighborhood to come out for a Thanksgiving plate and socialize with new and familiar faces.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The event costs $12 to attend, and guests are encouraged to register by Nov. 17. Registrations received after the Friday before the luncheon, or the day of the lunch, will be charged $15; space is limited. To register, call 215-247-4654 or email msaavedra@chestnuthillpres.org.

Community Fridge Resources

For neighbors who would like to donate food to a family, and for residents who need assistance with food security, community fridges are a resource available in Mt. Airy and Germantown.

The Mt. Airy Community Fridge and Pantry, located on the 6900 block of Stenton Avenue, will host a food drive on Nov. 22. In the days leading up to the holiday, organizers are accepting Thanksgiving dish donations, and offer a bit of advice about sharing.

First, residents can sign up to make a dish, cook it (large batches are appreciated) and then drop off the dish in a disposable container with a list of ingredients. Volunteers will then package the meals to make sure that the community fridge is stocked for the meal drive.

For questions on how to get involved, reach out to 267-415-6532 or mtairypantry@gmail.com.

The Germantown Community Fridge will be accepting Thanksgiving donations throughout the next week at both of their locations on West Armat Street and East High Street. They are requesting and accepting both perishable and nonperishable food donations and anyone is welcome to bring donations at any time.

Residents are encouraged to bring whatever they are able to afford such as cans of gravy, a frozen turkey or boxes of stuffing. Residents can even donate cooked meals on Thanksgiving Day, as long as the platters are labeled with all ingredients and dates the meals were prepared. 

The community fridge is self-serve and open 24 hours. Donors can load the food directly into the fridges. 

For more information on the Germantown Community Fridge, visit their website at germantowncommunityfridge.com

The Mama-Tee Community Fridge Project is also accepting donations at 234 Winona Street in Germantown. The Fridge Project supports Philadelphia residents who are food insecure across the city, and has fed over 170,000 Philadelphians since July 2020, according to Mama-Tee Community Fridge spokesperson, Cynthia Miller. 

“We look forward to supporting our neighbors in Philadelphia,” Miller said. “Support us this holiday season by donating; thank you for caring and sharing.”