Community Thanksgiving Dinners
Highlight the Spirit of Generosity
Compiled by Northwoods News Staff
Many churches, nonprofit organizations and private businesses offer free community Thanksgiving meals in the Northwoods.
The following are all offered on Thursday, November 24th, and serve a traditional turkey dinner, unless otherwise noted.
Some are dine-in, others are carry-out only, and some offer both. Delivery may be available for those unable to drive and who live nearby. Most events welcome volunteers and accept free-will donations.
Please check with your local program for availability, and don’t wait until the last minute to reserve a meal. Some reservations are required this week.
Other Options:
Local food pantries, senior dining sites, Meals on Wheels programs and monthly community meals may provide Thanksgiving-style meals or fixings in the days before Thanksgiving. Some food pantries have application and income requirements. Senior meals usually need to be reserved at least a day in advance. Diners over the age of 60 usually pay a reduced price, and guests under $60 pay the market rate for any senior meal.
Please email us to add an event to our list.
Antigo:
Carving Memories Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Antigo Community Church
723 Deleglise Street
Antigo, WI 54409
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
715-627-2805
Offers in-person dining and carry-out; carry-out limitations apply. RSVP by by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, November 22nd by calling the church or Bobbi Clawson at 715-216-2110.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Shepherd’s Watch Community Center
507 Stone Avenue
Mattoon, WI 54450
Noon
If you are alone or unable to cook, you are welcome to join this dinner. Carry-out will be available. RSVP by Tuesday, November 22nd. Call or text Nancy at 726-851-0324.
Bessemer:
Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Bessemer VFW Post 3673
605 West Lead Street
Bessemer, MI 49911
2:00 pm
906-285-2006
Reservations are strongly encouraged. When you call, leave a message with your name, the number of persons who will be attending, and your number. You will receive a call back, confirming your reservation. At that time, you may inquire about carry-out and delivery options.
Crandon:
11th Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Pack Em Inn Bar
216 North Lake Avenue
Crandon, WI 54520
2:00 pm
715-478-3850
Everyone is welcome! If you have no plans or no place to enjoy an amazing homemade Thanksgiving dinner, please come! Free wine will also be available.
Crystal Falls:
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Guardian Angels Catholic Church Hall
412 Crystal Avenue
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
Door prizes for those who attend. For residents of Alpha, Amasa and Crystal Falls, meal delivery is available, especially for those who are ill or elderly. Call 906-284-2039 if interested in receiving a meal at home. Volunteers are still needed: call 906-284-2039 or 906-284-0733.
Eagle River:
Free Thanksgiving Dinner
The Rock Mission Center
1019 East Wall Street
Eagle River, WI 54521
4:00 pm
The Rock and Chef Valerie want to make sure no one has to eat alone on Thanksgiving. Stop by for a free meal of pork medallions, turkey and all the fixings!
Iron River:
Free Ecumenical Thanksgiving Meal
Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall
525 West Adams Street
Iron River, MI 49935
Noon
906-265-2018
Take-outs can be picked up at 12:30 pm and delivered meals go out at Noon. Those who are interested in having a meal — either delivered, take-out or in the hall — should RSVP by Sunday, November 20th. Please leave a message with a phone number. Anyone willing to volunteer can call 906-284-3500.
Bump’s Thanksgiving Dinner
Bump’s Burgers
119 Genesee Street
Iron River, MI 49935
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Take out or dine-in. Free to anyone, no questions asked!
Minocqua/Woodruff:
Community-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner
Holy Family Catholic Church
8950 County Highway J
Woodruff, WI 54568
In-house dining: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (No reservation needed)
Delivery and carry-out: 9:00 to 11:00 am (Full)
An annual tradition with both dine-in and limited delivery for the homebound. Suggested donation is $10 to cover costs. Volunteer sign-ups for the day of the event are in the colonnade.
Merrill:
4th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Bash
Throw Line Drinkery
N2191 County Road K
Merrill, WI 54452
November 23rd from 5:00 to 6:30 pm
715-536-7700
Please message Justin to pre-register for a free dinner or RSVP “Going” on the event’s Facebook page to register. Pre-registrations are being used to ensure that there is enough food for everyone to enjoy! A darts tournament starts at 6:30 pm for $25 – $5 of which goes toward Honor Flights for local veterans.
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Merrill Enrichment Center (MEC)
303 North Sales Street
Merrill WI, 54452
10:00 am to Noon
In partnership with a local church, the MEC provides a Thanksgiving meal for anyone who RSVPs by 4:00 pm on November 17th. Carry-out and home delivery only. Must be home to receive delivery. Meal will be cold and can be heated when desired. This year’s co-sponsor is Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Limited availability, it’s best to reserve well in advance.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner
St. Paul Lutheran Church of Pine River
W2604 County Road P
Merrill, WI 54452
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
715-536-8459
Carry-out and Delivery only. Please RSVP by November 23rd with the number of meals and if delivery is needed. Call the church or Joe at 715-297-4237 and leave a message.
Pembine:
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Grace Lutheran Church
W8014 Minnie Street
Pembine, WI 54156
Noon to 3:00 pm
Everyone welcome! Free-will offerings are accepted. Carry-out and delivery are available in the Pembine area. Helpers are needed, contact Kris at 906-396-3600.
Rhinelander:
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Supper
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
123 East Monico Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
November 18th at 5:00 pm
715-575-9588
All are welcome to join this annual vegetarian Thanksgiving Supper.
Annual Free Meal
Backwaters Bar and Grill
4920 Highway 47
Rhinelander, WI 54501
November 23rd, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
715-369-5645
Continuing an annual tradition, two-piece broasted chicken, baked potato, cranberry sauce, green beans , a dinner roll and dessert will be served for carry-out for anyone who registers in advance while there is availability. Not need based. If you know someone who would appreciate having a meal, please call or message with your name, phone number, number of meals and your preferred time for pickup.
Sayner:
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church
2903 State Highway 155
Sayner, WI 54560
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
715-542-3701
All are welcome; free-will offerings are accepted.
Tomahawk:
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
St. Mary’s Church, Corpus Christi Center
320 East Washington Avenue
Tomahawk, WI 54487
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
715-453-2878
All orders and requests for meals must be placed before Noon on Wednesday, November 23rd. Please call the parish during normal business hours to donate food items for the dinner and to arrange for take-out or delivery for those who cannot attend. Dine-in seating is limited.
Townsend:
Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner
St. John Lutheran Church
17963 Highway 32
Townsend, WI 54175
715-276-7214
Service: 10:30 am
Meal: Noon
Open to the community, bring a potluck item if you can. Please RSVP by calling Lorry at 715-276-7313 by Monday, November 21st to attend, or sign up in the narthex. A free-will offering will be taken. Note: St. John will not be offering drive-through curbside pickup this year.
