Create a Thanksgiving dinner in a box kit this holiday and give back to your community! Here's how to create a box in 5 minutes or less.
How to Make a “Thanksgiving in a Box” Donation
Alright, y'all, sing it with – “what the world needs now…is love sweet love…” (That's going to be stuck in your head all day, sorry!)
If you're looking for ways to spread some love and kindness in the world, consider assembling “Thanksgiving in a Box” for those in need. This is such an easy and fun way to give back to your community, and get the whole family involved!
All you need to do is grab some shelf-stable Thanksgiving staples, something to put them in, and donate to your church, food pantry, or local nonprofit. Then, all the recipient will need to add is a turkey! (We've got some info on getting a free turkey below!)
This is a fantastic service project for Scouts, Youth Groups, Bible studies, and more!
Here's how to create a Thanksgiving box this year.
Want to create a donation kit any time of year? Check out this sweet Birthday in a Box Idea!
What to put in a Thanksgiving Box
While there may be some debate on what exactly constitutes a Thanksgiving staple, we tried to assemble some essentials for our kits.
So that these boxes are practical and can be picked up early but used on Thanksgiving, we're donating only non-perishable items. If you'd like to donate directly to a family and drop off to them, you could include refrigerated items as well.
Note: you can absolutely change or add to this kit! For example, you might be real mad that there's no cranberry in this photo and that's okay! You can grab some cans for your boxes.
Each box includes:
- Disposable turkey roasting pan (I like the one with handles because it's so sturdy!)
- Stuffing mix
- Mac n cheese
- Canned corn
- Canned yams
- Instant mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- Brownie mix
Other ideas for a Thanksgiving box:
- Canned cranberry
- Cornbread mix
- Pie crust & canned pie filling
- Canned green beans
How to make a Thanksgiving Meal Donation Kit
If you're using a roasting pan, you can pile all your items right inside! Since turkey pans are made for a heavy bird, these should easily hold all the food and be sturdy enough for transport.
If you're skipping the roasting pan, you can use a box or bag. If you're using a cardboard box, you can always wrap the outside with wrapping paper for a fun touch!
Finally, you can wrap your completed kit with plastic wrap or cellophane and tie with a ribbon for festive gifting.
Where to get a free turkey for Thanksgiving
Most local food banks or churches are able to supply free turkeys for Thanksgiving through donations. You can also dial 2-1-1 for local resources (anytime of the year!) and get information on holiday donations.
Not sure where your local food bank is? Hop over to Feeding America and type in your zip code for a list of nearby locations.
Many grocery stores also offer a free turkey with purchase close to the holiday. Stores like Albertsons, Kroger, H-E-B, and more offering this promotion annually. Check with your store or the weekly ad to see when and how to qualify.
Thanks for this great idea. My husband works for a local food pantry and this is just a reminder that they need food donations all year, not just at the holidays! The majority of their donations come just before Thanksgiving. It they supply food boxes to the less fortunate all year long. Just two weeks ago the shelves at his center were nearly empty. Now they are overflowing. Also please check expirations on items. You’d be amazed how many expired items are received that have to be thrown away.