A pile of assorted canned foods in plastic bags.
Bags of food at the Emergency Food Bank in Stockton, California on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)

Need a last minute turkey? Or a wallet-friendly Thanksgiving meal? 

Get your Thanksgiving needs from these Stockton and San Joaquin County organizations, all offering free or low cost food from Tuesday to Turkey Day. 

Are you an organization that is offering a free or low cost Thanksgiving meal option? Email Stocktonia at shaylee.navarro@stocktonia.org to be added to this list. 

Tuesday, Nov. 25 

Turkey Box Giveaway at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds 

Hosted by the Emergency Food Bank, free turkey and sides are available for San Joaquin County residents from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds (1658 South Airport Way). Gates open at 6 a.m. 

“We have more than a significant supply so that everybody gets a box,” said Stockton’s Food Bank CEO Leonard Hansen. Meals are uncooked, but include ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, like mashed potatoes and stuffing, Hansen added. 

Food distribution is based on a first-come basis. Residents are asked to wait inside their vehicles while volunteers load food into trunks. An ID and proof of San Joaquin County residence (like a utility bill, car registration or a document that shows your name and address, according to the food bank) is required.

The food bank will also open on Wednesday from 9 to 12 p.m. for regular distribution. 

Turkey Giveaway at the Villa Monterey Family Resource Center 

80 turkeys are up for grabs from 1-3 p.m. at the Community Partnership for Families Stockton center, located at 4707 Kentfield Road Suite C. No ID is required. A box with food will also be given out. 

The giveaway is in partnership with Stockton’s Office of Violence Prevention, Bread of Life, Barbers not Bars and the Community Partnership for Families Villa Monterey office. 

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Guadalupe Center 

Welfare group South Side Community Organization is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal at 126 West First Street in Tracy. The dine-in only meal goes from 4-6 p.m. and will serve items like turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls and pies. For more information, call (209) 814-6580. 

Thursday, Nov. 27  

Turkey Dinner at Golden West Elementary School

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the Manteca Sunrise Kiwanis and the Rotary Club of Manteca at the Golden West Elementary School (1031 N Main St) for a “nostalgic” Thanksgiving meal, said Monica Mendoza, who coordinates the annual event. No ID required. 

The free turkey meal comes with homemade turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn  — plus, a Thanksgiving card made by a student at the elementary school. 

“A free, hot Thanksgiving meal” at St. Mary’s Dining Room

St. Mary’s Dining Room (545 West Sonora Street in Stockton) is offering ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals and to-go trays from 11 a.m. “until the last person is served,” a spokesperson for the nonprofit said. “Everybody is welcome,” the spokesperson said, and is “free of charge.” 

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pie and other traditional Thanksgiving dishes are provided in both dining options.

Harvest and Hope at First Baptist Church of Stockton

Stockton Unified School District students and their families can visit the First Baptist Church of Stockton for a free meal that will include turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. SUSD Families should have received an invite for the meal through email. 

Food will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 33 W. Alpine Ave. 

A list of SUSD schools can be found here.