Looking for a free fowl before next Thursday? Several spots around the West Side of Chicago and western suburbs are giving away turkeys and other items ahead of Thanksgiving. Here’s where you can find them.
25th District police department
5555 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
The Chicago Police Department’s 25th District is distributing turkeys au gratis. On Nov. 23 at 10 a.m., visit the police station’s front lot to pick one up while supplies lasts. For more information about the first-come, first-served event, call the district’s CAPS office at 312-746-5090.
Pleasant Ridge Church
116 S. Central Ave., Chicago
On Nov. 23 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Ald. Chris Taliaferro and City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin are handing out free turkeys to the 29th Ward. There will be a one-turkey-per-household rule and drive-thru pickup. Photo identification is required to get a bird. The event is sponsored by Black Men United, Harris Ice, and CMA CGM.
North Lawndale Employment Network
1111 S. Homan Ave., Chicago
If you live in the 24th Ward, on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, Ald. Monique Scott and North Lawndale Employment Network are giving out free birds to residents. There will be 300 frozen turkeys provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Maywood Masonic Temple
200 S. 5th Ave., Maywood
While not necessarily a turkey drive, Maywood officials and community partners are convening Nov. 23 for the village’s inaugural Day of Giving Thanks. At 11 a.m., locals can stop by for a free Thanksgiving basket. Living World Christian Center is hosting the giveaway and recommends those who want a basket arrive an hour ahead to get in line.
Also starting at 10 a.m., local organizations will provide a free community resource session, including those that address career and workforce readiness, plus the mind, body and soul. For lunch, S2 Grills, plus Yours Cafe and Bistro, will host a Thanksgiving feast with Mayor Nathaniel Booker at 1 p.m. At 3 p.m., Black Men United and the village will give away household items, like beds, couches, tables, beds, and microwaves.
“The Day of Giving Thanks is a day of bringing organizations and government together to spread love to residents,” Booker said in a statement. “This is our unified way of supporting families in need. 15% of our population lives in poverty, which is above the national average of 12.5%, and they need support, as well as our seniors and homeowners on fixed incomes who are steadily seeing their property taxes increase.”
TNT Rooftop Restaurant
5405 W. Madison St., Chicago
As the building’s owners, Tony and Taneka Anderson, approach one year of their fine-dining restaurant, the two are hosting TNT Rooftop’s first turkey drive. On Nov. 25 between noon and 4 p.m., people can go to the restaurant for one of 150-some turkeys. While the Andersons bought most of those, anyone who donates a turkey before Nov. 25 gets a free appetizer at TNT Rooftop.