Thanksgiving Donations: Nonprofits to Support this November

Looking to make a difference with your Thanksgiving donations? Discover the top nonprofits you can support to help families in need and fight hunger in America.

5 minutes read
Thanksgiving Donations: Nonprofits to Support this November

Every day, 47 million people in the U.S. face the challenges of food insecurity.

Hunger isn’t just about missing a meal. It can affect a person’s future opportunities, career path, family life, and overall well-being.

But people like you can make a real impact by supporting nonprofits dedicated to combating hunger.

In this blog post, we’re highlighting some amazing nonprofits you can donate to this Thanksgiving.


Why Thanksgiving Donations Matter

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, but it’s also a reminder that many people don’t have enough to eat – with the U.S. being no exception.

More than 50 million people rely on food banks and pantries each year, and the holidays can be especially challenging for them.

That’s why Thanksgiving meal donations matter so much. Whether it’s a Thanksgiving donation box, boxed stuffing, or a financial contribution, every gift helps ensure that adults and children can experience the nourishment (and joy) of a holiday meal.

Your Thanksgiving donations:

  • Support health: Proper nutrition helps prevent illness and keeps families strong.
  • Strengthen communities: Donations help neighbors in need and foster a spirit of care.
  • Provide hope: A warm meal reminds families that they are seen and valued.
  • Relieve stress: Food security eases the financial burden on families during the holidays.

Where to Give Your Thanksgiving Donations This November

Here are some local and global food banks and pantries you can support this holiday season.


1. Bethel’s Heavenly Hands

Screenshot of Bethel's Heavenly Hands' Homepage

Bethel’s Heavenly Hands serves their neighbors in the Houston area with food and clothing while empowering the community through practical care and support. Their mission goes beyond meeting immediate needs; they work to uplift and strengthen families for the long term.

Ways to get involved:

  • Donate: Share hope with families in crisis by giving online or dropping off food.
  • Partner: Invite your church or organization to join in supporting local families.
  • Volunteer: Pack and distribute meals, or help out at a community event.

2. Feeding Florida

Screenshot of Feeding Florida's Homepage

Feeding Florida is a statewide network of food banks dedicated to fighting hunger across Florida. They not only provide essentials like MREs and water during times of crisis, but also help families rebuild and find stability.

Beyond providing immediate relief, their mission is to tackle the root causes of hunger by advocating for better state policies and programs while engaging local communities and stakeholders.

How to help:

  • Donate: Help this nonprofit feed as many people as possible by giving online or dropping off non-perishables.
  • Volunteer: Serve individually or with a group (training is provided).
  • Advocate: Use your voice to contact elected officials and raise awareness on social media.

3. Dunedin Cares

Screenshot of Dunedin Cares' Homepage

Dunedin Cares is a client-choice food pantry in Pinellas County, Florida, where guests can shop for their groceries just like they would at a store, as opposed to receiving pre-packed pantry items. This approach preserves dignity while building stronger trust and connection between neighbors and the community.

Wondering how to get involved this Thanksgiving?

  • Donate: Support their work by giving online or delivering a check or food during their donation drop-off hours.
  • Volunteer: Fill out their volunteer form to serve in person at the pantry.
  • Partner: Get involved through individual or foundation partnerships that help sustain their mission.

4. Darrington Food Bank Foundation

Screenshot of Darrington Food Bank's Homepage

Darrington Food Bank Foundation has been serving Western Washington since 1983, working tirelessly to fight hunger through food collection and distribution in partnership with local businesses and organizations. Their long-standing commitment has made them a trusted resource for families in need.

How to get involved this festive season:

  • Donate: Support the fight against food insecurity by donating food or giving online.
  • Volunteer: Sign up through their volunteer form to donate your time.
  • Share food or garden bounty: Contribute surplus garden fruits and vegetables, or non-perishable holiday favorites like stuffing mix, canned cranberry sauce, and gravy mix.

5. Between Friends Food Pantry

Screenshot of Between Friends Food Bank's Homepage

Between Friends Food Pantry serves individuals and families facing food insecurity in the greater Kaneland, Illinois area. Through weekly food assistance, senior home deliveries, and holiday meal boxes, they support anyone in the community experiencing financial challenges.

Ways to get involved:

  • Donate: Easily donate online to support their cause this Thanksgiving, or drop off food donations.
  • Donate food: Help keep their shelves stocked for the community.
  • Volunteer: Give your time by helping with cleaning, packing, and sorting. Sign up through their volunteer form.

6. My Sister’s Pantry

Screenshot of My Sister's Pantry's Homepage

My Sister’s Pantry is one of the busiest food pantries in Tacoma, Washington’s Historic Stadium District. They provide a space where guests can shop for groceries, clothing, toiletries, and household goods. They also distribute food throughout their community.

Ways you can get involved on Thanksgiving:

  • Donate: Every online gift transforms real lives. Food, clothing, and toiletry donations are also welcome!
  • Partner: Organize a fundraising event or run a food drive at your office/school.

Thanksgiving Food Donation Guide

Here’s what to give and what to avoid so your Thanksgiving food donations can bring the most help to those in need.


 Donate:

Canned and boxed non-perishable goods make especially great Thanksgiving food bank donations. They not only bring comfort to holiday tables but also meet a higher demand at food banks throughout the season.

Here’s what to give readily:

  • Boxed stuffing
  • Instant mashed potatoes
  • Canned vegetables (corn, green beans, peas)
  • Dry macaroni or pasta
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Canned pumpkin
  • Gravy mix or canned gravy
  • Rice or boxed rice mixes
  • Shelf-stable milk
  • Canned meats (chicken, tuna, ham)
  • Baking mixes (cornbread, muffins, cake)
  • Peanut butter and jelly

 Avoid Donating:

Food banks must follow strict safety standards, so there are some items to skip to better serve families.

Many food banks already partner with farmers and organizations to provide fresh produce and proteins safely, so your shelf-stable donations go even further.

Here’s what to avoid giving:

  • Fresh or frozen turkeys
  • Leftovers from holiday meals
  • Highly perishable items (like fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, or baked goods)
  • Food that’s close to or past its expiration date
  • Items in damaged, dented, or open packaging
  • Foods extremely high in fat or sugar (like candy or soda)

Other Ways to Get Involved

Holiday giving goes beyond financial or food donations for Thanksgiving. Here are some meaningful ways to make an impact this holiday by lending your time, your voice, or your fundraising efforts.


1. Run a Peer-to-peer campaign

Peer-to-peer campaigns give you the chance to raise support on behalf of your favorite food pantry or nonprofit by inviting friends, family, and coworkers to give.

If your preferred food bank uses Donorbox, ask them to enable Peer-to-Peer on their campaign page (or invite you to fundraise on their behalf) so you can create your own fundraising page for their cause. Aside from helping the organization raise money, it’s a great way to spread awareness about food insecurity in your community.


2. Volunteer

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is your time. Food banks and pantries often need extra hands during the busy holiday season to pack boxes, sort donations, distribute meals, or even help at special community events.

Volunteering is also a meaningful way to connect directly with those being served and see the impact of Thanksgiving donations firsthand.


3. Advocate for the cause

Your voice matters just as much as your money. By sharing about food insecurity on social media, writing to elected officials, or simply starting conversations with friends and family, you help raise awareness and inspire others to get involved.


Over to You

No matter how you choose to give back this year, the point is you’re taking action, and we hope this list of nonprofits inspires your Thanksgiving donations.

You can also search “Thanksgiving donations near me” to find a local food bank or pantry in your area.

Every donation, every volunteer shift, and every word shared adds up to make a real difference in the fight against hunger.

If you’re an organization or individual looking to collect donations on Thanksgiving, Donorbox has you covered! From simple one-time or recurring giving to powerful features like crowdfunding and peer-to-peer fundraising, we equip you with everything you need to make an impact this holiday season.

Sign up to start fundraising with Donorbox today!

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With a background in professional writing, Lydia has over five years in nonprofit communications under her belt. Lydia’s passion for supporting nonprofits sparked during her college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained valuable insights into fundraising marketing strategies. These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.

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