Where to Find Thanksgiving Food Assistance in New Hampshire and Maine in 2026
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, sharing a meal and spending time with loved ones. But for kinship families facing financial challenges, the added expense of a holiday meal can be difficult to manage.
Fortunately, organizations throughout New Hampshire and Maine are working to make sure more families can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this year. From free food baskets and turkey dinners to community meals, there are several opportunities for families who could use a little extra support.
Here is a list of 2026 Thanksgiving food assistance programs, including registration information, deadlines and pickup dates.
Please contact organizations directly to confirm availability before making plans. Some programs have limited quantities or require advance registration.
New Hampshire
Project Homebound – Lancaster
Project Homebound's annual Thanksgiving food drive provides food boxes to individuals and families in the North Country.
How to sign up: Email projecthomeboundnh@gmail.com, send a message through Project Homebound's Facebook page, or leave a voicemail or text message at 802-328-0683. Include your name, physical and mailing addresses, phone number, number of household members, and how you plan to receive your box.
The last day to sign up is November 18.
Food box pickup: Saturday, November 21, at Lancaster Town Hall. Pickup times are assigned by town:
9–10 a.m.: Groveton, Northumberland, Stark and Stratford
10–10:30 a.m.: Guildhall, Gilman and Lunenburg, Vermont
10:30–11 a.m.: Whitefield, Jefferson, Dalton and Twin Mountain
11–11:30 a.m.: Lancaster
A friend or family member may pick up a box on someone's behalf if their name is provided when registering. Delivery is available only for recipients who cannot physically pick up their boxes.
Interested in donating? Food, cash and gift card donations can be dropped off at Lancaster Town Hall on November 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and November 16 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Lancaster Police Department will also host its Stuff a Cruiser event at the Lancaster Shaw's parking lot on November 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More information: Project Homebound's 2026 flyer
Friends of Forgotten Children – Concord
Friends of Forgotten Children provides Thanksgiving food baskets to residents in need throughout Merrimack County. The baskets contain food for an entire Thanksgiving meal, and the organization serves more than 300 families annually through this program.
A 2026 Thanksgiving basket application is available on the organization's website. Applications must be submitted before the program's closing date.
How to sign up: Visit Friends of Forgotten Children's Thanksgiving Basket Program page for the 2026 application. Because the published page does not specify the current closing date or pickup schedule, contact the organization to confirm availability.
Location: 224 Bog Road, Concord, NH
Phone: 603-753-4801
Operation Blessing – Portsmouth
Operation Blessing offers Thanksgiving food baskets to individuals and families in the Seacoast community.
The organization is currently accepting applications for a holiday assistance waiting list. Submitting an application does not guarantee an appointment; families will be contacted as appointments become available.
Thanksgiving basket pickup:
Friday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 21, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Location: 600-A Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH, in front of the Warming Center.
Delivery is available for Portsmouth residents only.
How to sign up: Complete the Operation Blessing holiday assistance waiting list application.
Phone: 603-430-8561
Homeland Heroes Foundation – Salem
Homeland Heroes Foundation is providing Thanksgiving meals to veterans and their families.
Pickup date: Tuesday, November 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: 40 Lowell Road, Unit 7, Salem, NH 03079.
Veterans and family members can request a meal by completing the Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway form. The foundation will review requests and follow up with applicants.
A DD214 must be shown at pickup. Active-duty service members may select Not Applicable on the application.
Phone: 603-458-1275
Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter – Nashua
Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter distributes Thanksgiving food boxes and turkeys to individuals and families each November.
Its website confirms the annual Thanksgiving program but does not currently publish specific 2026 registration or distribution dates. Families in the greater Nashua area can contact the organization directly to ask about this year's availability.
No identification is required for its food assistance services.
Location: 2 Quincy Street, Nashua, NH 03060
Phone: 603-889-7770
More information: Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter
Maine
Wayside Food Programs – Portland
Wayside Food Programs is offering Thanksgiving food boxes and prepared meals to households that register in advance.
Thanksgiving food boxes
Food boxes are intended for households of three or more and include a frozen or thawed turkey, pie, squash, potatoes, butter, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy. Larger households will receive additional side ingredients.
Pickup options:
Tuesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 18, from 12:30–2 p.m. for boxes with frozen turkeys.
Tuesday, November 24, from 12:30–2 p.m. for boxes with thawed turkeys.
Prepared Thanksgiving meals
Wayside is also offering prepared Thanksgiving meals for people who register in advance. Meals will be cold, packaged in microwave-safe containers and ready to reheat. An example of the meal includes turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, squash, green beans and dessert.
Pickup is Wednesday, November 25, from 12:30–2 p.m.
All pickups take place at Wayside Food Programs, 135 Walton Street, Portland, ME 04103.
How to sign up: Call Laura at 207-775-4939. If you reach voicemail, leave a message and she will return your call. You will need to provide your household size.
The last day to register is Monday, November 16, or earlier if capacity is reached. If you miss the deadline, you can still call to ask about remaining availability or a waiting list.
Limited delivery is available for food boxes in Portland and Westbrook.
More information: Wayside's 2026 Thanksgiving reference sheet
Freeport Community Services – Freeport
Freeport Community Services provides Thanksgiving food boxes for families who want to prepare a meal at home, as well as a free community Thanksgiving meal and prepared meal delivery for housebound neighbors.
Thanksgiving food boxes
Food boxes include a turkey, fresh vegetables and traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.
The last day to sign up is Monday, November 16. Registration takes place in the Freeport Community Services lobby during designated hours:
Tuesday, November 10: 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 12: 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Monday, November 16: 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Food box pickup is Tuesday, November 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you cannot make the registration hours, contact Kara LaRochelle at 207-865-3985, ext. 205.
Community Thanksgiving meal
Everyone is welcome to attend a free Thanksgiving meal at the Freeport Community Center on Thursday, November 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. No advance registration is required.
Prepared meal delivery is also available for housebound neighbors on Thanksgiving Day.
Location: 53 Depot Street, Freeport, ME 04032
More information: Freeport Community Services Holiday Support
Mount Desert Island Thanksgiving Project – Bar Harbor area
The Mount Desert Island Thanksgiving Project is providing food baskets to families who need help preparing a Thanksgiving meal. There is no financial eligibility test to apply.
Baskets include a turkey (or chicken for households of one or two), stuffing, gravy, fresh potatoes and carrots, cranberry sauce, dessert and other meal essentials.
Application deadline: November 19.
Pickup options:
Sunday, November 22, from 2–6 p.m.
Monday, November 23, from 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pickup is at Bar Harbor Congregational Church, 29 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor.
Delivery can be arranged for people who have difficulty with transportation in the greater Mount Desert Island area, including Ellsworth and the surrounding islands.
How to sign up: Complete the 2026 Thanksgiving Basket Order Form.
Questions: Contact Sarah Joy Chaples at 207-812-0725 or 29turkeybaskets@gmail.com.
Rinaldi Energy – Saco
Rinaldi Energy is hosting its first annual Fuel the Feast event, providing 300 Thanksgiving meal kits to anyone in need.
The kits include a turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, bread and other Thanksgiving essentials.
When: Sunday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 778 Portland Road, Saco, ME 04072.
Anyone in the community is welcome. No questions will be asked, and distribution is first-come, first-served while supplies last.
More information: Rinaldi Energy Fuel the Feast
Additional Free Thanksgiving Meals in Maine
For families who would prefer to enjoy a prepared meal rather than cook at home, there are also free community Thanksgiving dinners.
Scarborough Community Thanksgiving – Scarborough
The 11th annual Scarborough Community Thanksgiving will take place on Thursday, November 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wentworth School Cafeteria, 20 Quentin Drive, Scarborough.
The free meal is open to everyone and includes roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner rolls and pie.
Walk-ins are welcome, but advance reservations are encouraged to help organizers plan.
Reservations: Scarborough Community Thanksgiving
Looking for More Food Assistance?
These programs serve specific communities, and availability can change as Thanksgiving approaches. If you don't see an organization serving your area, additional resources are available:
New Hampshire: 211 New Hampshire can help connect individuals and families with local food assistance.
Maine: 211 Maine offers a statewide directory of food pantries and other community resources.
Maine: Good Shepherd Food Bank provides a directory of partner food pantries and food assistance locations.
Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. We hope these resources help make the holiday a little easier for families across New Hampshire and Maine.
Please share this list with anyone who might benefit from it.