Free Holiday Resources

2024 Holiday Resources

Find some free holiday resources in Western MA, such as turkey giveaways, meals, and toys and other events during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season.

*Please note that we are continuing to build on the this list of resources available. Please contact us with any information about other free holiday resources available to residents in Western MA.

Salvation Army Corps

There are many Salvation Armies across Western MA that provide assistance with holiday turkeys, meals, toys, and other holiday resources. Call your local Salvation Army Corps to inquire what they can provide. Keep in mind that registration or applications may be due well before the holiday.

Christmas Meals

Springfield Rescue Mission Christmas Banquet

Monday, December 23, 2024

10 Mill St, Springfield MA from 1 - 3pm

Join Springfield Rescue Mission for a heartwarming community Christmas dinner banquet. This event is free and all is welcome to join. For Meals To- Go and Drive-Through Meals, please contact Springfield Rescue Mission at 413-732-0808.

Kwanzaa Events

Community Kwanzaa Festival

December 28, 2024

UMASS Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center at Springfield Tower Square, 1500 Main St, Springfield MA from 1 - 6pm

Join the Springfield community in celebrating Kwanzaa through food, crafts, musicians, dancing and many more activities. For more information, contact Sis Ayanna at 413-886-9089.

Kwanzaa Celebration Events

December 28, 2024

UMASS Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center at Springfield Tower Square, 1500 Main St, Springfield MA from 1 - 6pm

Join the Springfield community in celebrating Kwanzaa through food, crafts, musicians, dancing and many more activities. For more information, contact Sis Ayanna at 413-886-9089.

Hanukkah Events

First Light: Hanukkah Gathering

December 25, 2024

Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St, Springfield, MA from 5:30 - 6:30pm

Celebrate the light and miracle of the first night of Hanukkah! Join the Jewish Community Center (JCC) for a community candle-lighting and singing as we light the largest outdoor menorah in Western Massachusetts. Enjoy some delicious Hanukkah treats, too! This event will take place outdoors on the Dickinson Street side of the building. Attendees are encouraged to park in the Dickinson Street parking lot. Registration is required for this free event as well.

Fill out the registration form. Call 413-739-4715 for more information.

Hanukkah Puppet Show

December 22, 2024

Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St, Springfield, MA from 1 - 3 pm

Get ready for Hanukkah with Congregation Sons of Zion and PJ Library of Western Massachusetts! Anna Sobel from Talking Hands Theater will perform a puppet show at the Springfield JCC about the holiday of Hanukah called "Hanukkats." For ages 0-8yrs old, open to public. Registration is required for this free event.

Fill out the registration form. Call 413-739-4715 for more information.

Toy Drives

Western MA Toys for Tots

The deadline to register for a toy is November 15.

Fill out the toy request form.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Assistance

Must be a resident of Franklin County

Call 413-773-3154 to schedule an appointment

Christmas Assistance for Toys

271 Appleton Street, Holyoke

Monday, November 11th and Thursday, November 13th

Sign up for Christmas Assistance at the Holyoke Salvation Army. For residents of Holyoke, South Hadley, Chicopee & Granby. Call 413-532-6312 for more information.

Amherst Survival Center Gift Program

138 Sunderland Rd, Amherst

Offers brand new gifts throughout December for households with children 0-17 years old living in Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Granby, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, Sunderland, Ware, and Whately.

Call 413-549-3968 x110

Thanksgiving Turkeys and Meals

Berkshire County
The Christian Center
Thursday, November 28, 2024
193 Robbins Ave, Pittsfield
The Christian Center provides prepared meals to individuals on Thanksgiving Day. They will also be delivering hundreds of meals on Thanksgiving Day to elderly shut-ins. Call 413-443-2828 to sign up.

Berkshire Food Project's Thanksgiving Celebration
Monday, November 25, 2024, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
First Congregational Church of North Adams
134 Main Street, North Adams

Thanksgiving Meal Delivery
North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Florida, and Williamstown
All Saints Episcopal Church will be delivering free Thanksgiving meals for Northern Berkshire seniors, age 60 and older who are alone. Reserve your meal by calling 413-664-9656 from November 11th- 21st.

Berkshire South's Community Thanks Supper
Tuesday, November 26th
Seatings at 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm
15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington
Reserve your seat online or by calling 413-528-2810, ext. 37

The Guthrie Center
The Old Trinity Church
2 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington
Thanksgiving Dinner is served for free on Thanksgiving Day. All are welcome, reservations are appreciated by calling 413-528-1955.
Franklin County
Greenfield Salvation Army Thanksgiving Community Meal
Sunday, November 24th
Doors open at 4 pm
72 Chapman St, Greenfield

The Brick House
24 3rd St, Turners Falls
Mondays 10am-1pm
Thursdays 9am-12pm
Whole turkeys are provided during their food pantry hours.
Call if other pick up times are needed: 413-863-9576

Stone Soup Café
Thursday, November 28th at 12:00pm
399 Main St, Greenfield, MA
Stone Soup Café invites everyone to come together for a unique pay-what-you-can community meal that emphasizes togetherness, respect, and honest reflection on the history of Thanksgiving. Registration is encouraged for in person dining and REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY.

Community Action Family Center (CAPV)
CAPV gives out a Harvest Box before Thanksgivign to their participants. Please call them at 413-475-1555 to reserve a box.

Thanksgiving Meal Delivery
Thursday, November 28th
North Quabbin Community Coalition (NQCC) will deliver free Thanksgiving dinners to the elderly or homebound on Thanksgiving day to residents of Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham,
Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, and Wendell only. Call NQCC at 978-249-3703 to register.
Hampden County
The Gray House Thanksgiving Food Distribution
Final registration November 8th by 4:30
22 Sheldon St, Springfield
Turkeys and accompanying food is provided for families in need.

Springfield Rescue Mission
Wednesday, November 27th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
10 Mill St, Springfield
Serving a free heartwarming meal. All are welcome.

St. Paul's Church
Thursday, November 28th, 12:00 - 1:30
485 Appleton Street, Holyoke
Thanksgiving lunch for veterans
Registration required by Nov 25th. Contact the office at St. Paul’s Church (413-532-5060) or email ginanelson5@gmail.com

Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving Meal
Thursday, November 28th, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
1599 Memorial Dr, Chicopee
Serving a free, hearty Thanksgiving dinner. Meals will be delivered to individuals who are unable to leave their homes. To order a meal for delivery, call 413-533-0938.

Glory House Church Thanksgiving Dinner
November 28th, 11:00 - 1:30
Multiple locations:

Centro de Actividadeds, 94 Springfield St, Chicopee
VOX Church, 1600 Main Street, Springfield
Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, 965 Plumtree Road, Springfield

Register for the meal and location. Delivery options are available as well.

Open Pantry Community Services
Thursday, November 28th, 12pm
High School of Commerce, 415 State St., Springfield
The Holiday Meals Program can provide a meal delivered to seniors or homebound individuals or a traditional holiday meal for anyone in need of a meal or for those who wish to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter with others.
Hampshire County
Manna's Thanksgiving Day Meal
Thursday, November 28th
Edwards Church
297 Main St, Northampton
Along with offering a in-person sit-down meal, meals can also be delivered to Northampton, Westhampton, Southampton, Easthampton, Whately, Hatfield, Hadley, and Williamsburg. Request delivery online or by calling 413-282-8086.

Amherst Survival Center's Community Meal
November 27th, 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
138 Sunderland Rd, North Amherst
The Celebrating Native American Heritage and Giving Thanks event will serve a meal and also offer a to-go meal outside from 12-2:30pm.