Free Turkey Giveaways in 2024: What You Should Know
Several generations ago, giving away a free turkey was a common workplace practice for employers. Back then, that wasn’t associated with the giveaways we know today.
This gift-giving practice dipped in popularity during economic crashes or when small businesses tightened their budgets. But these days, free turkey giveaways are returning during the festive season.
From classic giveaways to charitable free food, in this guide, we will tell you all there is to know about how America’s oldest tradition went viral.
Who Started the Turkey Giveaway?
Turkey giveaways are older than you might think. This tradition goes back generations to the manufacturing boom of the 1800s.
Seen as a way to introduce immigrant workers to the American way of life, giving away turkeys was a gesture of giving thanks at Thanksgiving.
Nowadays, free turkey giveaways are back to suit modern times. This traditional event is experiencing a renaissance while keeping up with the traditional spirit of the season.
Some employers still give their employees free turkeys as a gesture of appreciation. In recent years, companies and individuals have taken on this tradition.
Thomas J. Henry, for one example, has been giving away turkeys to families in need each November for a decade and counting.
The Thomas J. Henry turkey giveaway is one of the nation’s largest free turkey giveaways and charity events, as this generosity has impacted more than 350,000 people.
Each year, on Saturdays before Thanksgiving, people queue outside Attorney Thomas J. Henry’s building throughout the South Texas region.
Some people wait in line from two o’clock to ensure they’re early. But there’s no shortage of giveaways, as people receive turkeys until late afternoon.
This tradition, set to retake place in 2024, brings families together for a day of fun and gratitude. You may want to get in line for the giveaway if you’re local.
5 Steps to Finding the Best Turkey Giveaways
There is seriously no shortage of free turkey giveaways and seasonal gift-giving this year. We’ve looked into this thoroughly and discovered that to find the best turkey giveaways, you must first take the task in stages.
We have done some challenging legwork, so you must follow our guide and take these steps.
1. Grocery Stores
Tons of grocery stores offer free turkeys this year as a traditional gesture. You’ll find discounts, offers, and free turkey giveaways in 2024.
Grocery stores offer free turkeys as an annual Thanksgiving thank-you to their customers. Check your local grocery stores to find out their seasonal schedule.
2. Small Online Businesses
Take note of the small businesses you shop at and check out if they’re holding turkey giveaways. You may be surprised.
Turkey giveaways aren’t reserved for bigger chain stores. Small businesses, both in-store and online, want to give back to their customers and community.
You may find that small businesses’ giveaway numbers aren’t as big as grocery stores, but that doesn’t make them any less. We recommend you take this step to find special online giveaways.
3. Third-party and Social Media Sites
Turkey giveaways are listed on third-party sites such as Discord, Gleam, Rafflecopter, or the forum Reddit. For more information, check out our Gleam guide.
You will also find turkey giveaways on social media, and you may also find those small businesses mentioned above promoting their giveaways there.
Check out Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook—use “turkey giveaway 2024” in the search bar. Use that as a hashtag, such as #turkeygiveaway2024.
4. Foodbanks
This is a unique way that organizations give back to their community. It might not be a giveaway you’re used to, but these events are still named giveaways by most organizers.
Food banks and food pantries want to help out every holiday season by giving away free food. Thanksgiving is no exception, and free turkeys are given away at this time of year.
As CBS News reported, food banks are seeing a record number of people at Thanksgiving. Find out if your local food pantries and banks are holding turkey giveaways.
5. Giveaway Listing
As you can see from the steps above, there are several ways to guarantee you get a free turkey this year, from saving money while spending to unmissable giveaways and acts of kindness.
You can also connect with your local community and spend time with your family this year. If you’re in need, there is always the generosity of those willing to help and giveaways to match.
Life gets better when we all get together so you can check back with us anytime! Giveaway Listing will share the best giveaways as they happen.
Where to Get a Free Turkey This Year
We get it. You’re hunting for a free turkey this year, but the choices are vast. It’s tricky to know where to begin.
Other than the steps above, there are other places you can find free turkey giveaways this year. These places include:
Walmart and Ibotta: In 2021, Walmart and Ibotta teamed up to offer free giveaway food prizes, including a turkey for your Thanksgiving meal. Keep an eye out to see if they bring this back.
Foodtown: As a thank you, Foodtown will give you a choice of free items, including a free turkey for Thanksgiving. You must spend at least $400 with your Club Card, and rules apply. Check out the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania stores for details on earning your freebie.
Weis Market: Weis Market’s Thanksgiving rewards include a free turkey when you shop and 400 Weis rewards points for using your Weis Market rewards card. With this offer, you qualify for your free Thanksgiving turkey.
Independent online businesses: We recommend you browse your favorite businesses online to find out if they’re running turkey giveaways.
Simple Dreams wants to help you celebrate Thanksgiving with its annual turkey giveaway. Register to receive a free Thanksgiving meal! Each recipient will receive a turkey, a bag of potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
As part of the giveaway, the recipients are requested to invite their families and friends to make the event bigger than ever. Each year, hundreds of people enjoy the Simple Dreams giveaway.
Foodbanks: You might get a free turkey from a local food bank instead of entering a classic giveaway. Especially suited to low-income families, this is one way to guarantee a free turkey this Thanksgiving.
Here are some charity options that may offer free turkeys or free Thanksgiving meals.
- United Way 211
- Local food pantries
- Local Charities
- Churches and religious groups
- Meals on Wheels (for 60+ years)
- Local hostels and shelters
We suggest searching “food pantries near me” online to find a physical pantry near you. Also, check out Feeding America to learn more about free Thanksgiving food and where your local food bank is.
Who is Giving Away Free Turkeys This Year?
In addition to the places, as mentioned earlier, to find free turkey giveaways this year, some organizations always host free turkey giveaways.
Operation Hope (Food Pantry Giveaway)
The charity known as Operation Hope has made it their yearly tradition to help put food on every family table for Thanksgiving. Watch this space to find out where this year’s giveaway will occur.
Jesse Zermeno started the turkey giveaway in 2012. He wanted to help people who were having trouble feeding their families and were turning to food pantries for assistance.
Safeway (Grocery Store Giveaway)
As a paying customer, you can get a free Thanksgiving turkey for up to 16 lb at Safeway this November. It’s a tradition and popular annual shopping and Thanksgiving event.
Safeway is offering this giveaway item when you spend $100 or more. You need to use your digital “Just for U” coupon by loading the coupon to your account and spending $100 in one transaction.
Once you have reached the spending threshold for the free giveaway, your receipt will indicate that you have earned the free turkey. You should check out Safeway this year to score a freebie.
Young Visionaries (Nonprofit Organization Giveaway)
This year, as standard, the nonprofit organization Young Visionaries is holding a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway event with live music, a kid zone, and much more.
If you’re based in San Bernardino County, you might want to check it out. You can get free tickets on Eventbrite.
5 News (Online Giveaway)
If you weren’t aware, KFSM-TV and 5News are TV stations licensed in Fort Smith, United States. 5News serves Northwest Arkansas as an affiliate of CBS.
That aside, 5News also holds annual giveaways! Check out 5 News’ Gobble Gobble Giveaway for a free turkey. Gobble Gobble Giveaway returns every November, so mark your calendars.
Bonus Tip: For more exciting ideas for getting a free turkey this year, check out our Thanksgiving giveaway guide.
Why Do Companies Give Out Turkeys?
It’s an age-old tradition that dates back generations. A couple of generations ago, giving turkeys to employees was a workplace gift and an act of kindness.
Historians date this tradition to the manufacturing boom of the 1800s. It was a way to introduce immigrant workers to the American culture and the holiday spirit of Thanksgiving.
This was standard practice in years past when unions were more potent and businesses were more traditionalist. One might also argue that when companies were more loyal, their employees were also loyal.
Free turkeys during festive seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are less common nowadays. Labor historians suggested this declined before economic crashes and was driven by business budget cuts.
Some of the reasons companies give out free turkeys include:
- Turkey giveaways are affordable and practical. A turkey is a giveaway item and gift that people can practically use. It’s a symbol rich in meaning, yet it’s a cheap way to thank the recipient.
- A holiday turkey gift allows managers to make their employees feel valued. This is especially impactful when paired with the spirit of the season, which builds company loyalty.
- Turkey giveaway allows business owners to say thank you and instead make their customers feel valued. This appreciation builds brand recognition and loyalty.
- A turkey evokes the joy of the holidays and a lifetime of family memories. Due to traditions and culture, turkey giveaways have withstood the test of time.
- The attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving is associated with appreciation; traditionally, a turkey is related to a Thanksgiving meal. So, all of that combined makes for a traditional seasonal gift.
The American Way of Life and Culture
Turkeys are the centerpiece of America’s oldest tradition and are native to the North of the US. Americans celebrated Thanksgiving for two centuries when President Abraham Lincoln declared it an official national holiday in 1863.
On average, Americans eat 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving, 19 million on Easter, and 22 million on Christmas!
Check out this Thanksgiving CNN Quiz to learn how much you know about the occasion!
Free Turkey Giveaways: A Final Word
As we’ve covered in this guide, there are so many ways to get a free turkey this year, from grocery stores to charity events. Following our steps above, you will find free turkey giveaways in 2024!
Check back with us as we update our database with the best free turkey giveaways. From everyone at Giveaway Listing, enjoy the Thanksgiving season and the time spent with your loved ones!
Free Turkey Giveaways FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about free turkey giveaways in 2024.
How Can I Get a Free Turkey?
Whether you shop online and score a voucher or enter a giveaway with a click, you can get a free turkey.
Take note of our 5 steps to find the best turkey giveaways, and you’ll be on your way.
How Do You Give Away Turkeys?
You can give back and give away turkeys this Thanksgiving in many ways. If you’d like to get involved in helping out, here are some suggestions:
- Donate food to friends and family
- Host a Thanksgiving giveaway at home
- Volunteer at a local food pantry or food bank
- Visit food banks and connect with families visiting
- Donate to your local food bank or Feeding America, for example.
Where is the Thomas J Henry Turkey Giveaway?
The drive-thru locations for the turkey giveaways are Alice, TX, at Jim Wells County Fair Grounds; San Diego, TX, at Bernarda Jaime Junior High School; Freer, TX, at Norman Thomas Elementary; and Corpus Christi, TX, at Thomas J. Henry Law’s Downtown Office.
Check out the latest about TJH turkey giveaways here.
Is Acme Offering Free Turkeys?
Yes, Acme offers free turkeys, except you’re already purchasing Acme goods! Acme Fresh Market welcomes you during November to prepare for Thanksgiving and wants to provide you with an enticing giveaway.
You should check out the Acme Weekly Ads, where you’ll find their newest savings and digital coupons. You can also find out about their latest giveaway.
Where Are They Giving Out Free Turkeys in Chicago?
Chicago is seeing its annual free turkey giveaways return to the streets. Alderman George Cardenas and business owners in the 12th Ward donated more than 2,000 turkeys to families at Marina Crossings, 2075 W. 43rd St. Alderman Emma Mitts gave away 1,000 turkeys to needy families at 4926 W. Chicago Ave.
Roseland Community Hospital donated 200 turkeys to South Side families. In the neighborhood, close to 50 top Chicago chefs made and distributed meals to local shelters for free during “Chefsgiving.”
2021 was Chefsgiving’s sixth year in a row. Watch this space for the next event.
How Can I Get a Free Turkey in New York City?
As mentioned above in our top tips, you can enter free turkey giveaways wherever you’re based in 2024! But if you’re in New York City, you should check this out.
HelpNYC provides New Yorkers with verified free food distributions, meals, and events for Thanksgiving. They also offer seasonal perks throughout the December holidays and New Year.
The Thanksgiving giveaways will be listed on HelpNYC in November.