Monterey County residents have multiple options for Thanksgiving day activities and meals, with many offering free meals provided by the community.
The Community Dinner Organization will host its annual free Thanksgiving dinner at the Monterey County Fairgrounds from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 28. There will be completely prepared holiday meals for people to pick up, as well as a volunteer-run delivery service.
Volunteers looking to prepare and distribute food can visit the Fairgrounds’ website for more information. Food items and monetary donations can also be made.
Salvation Army Salinas is gearing up to distribute 600 meals at their Main St. location Thanksgiving day. The site will be offering a free holiday lunch until 3:30 p.m. for community members.
The Food Bank for Monterey County offers various resources for a warm dinner Nov. 28, including drive-thru and walk-up dinners and a pozole kit distribution service. The non-profit is expecting to serve 60,000 families through these programs.
In collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Monterey and the city of Monterey, the food bank will help distribute meal kits Nov. 27 for residents in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Seaside and Marina. Reservations for these kits are required by Nov. 22.
Kits will be delivered by volunteers between 10 a.m. and noon and consist of all ingredients to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal that feeds a family of four or 6-8 people. The organization will also be offering pozole kits throughout the week at its Salinas, Pajaro and Castroville locations. The hearty soup dish is a common addition to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in many Hispanic communities.
The food bank also accepts donations for the annual holiday food drive. Donations can include canned foods, canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, rice, oatmeal and non-perishable shelf foods.
Locals who want to get some exercise in before their dinner can stop by WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a lap (or multiple) around the track. Entering from the paddock, participants can do a “turkey trot” down the Corkscrew between 7 and 11 a.m. Non-perishable food items and a $10 entrance fee will be donated to the Monterey County Food Bank.