Give Back: Thanksgiving Food Drives Accepting Donations this Year

As the season of gratitude arrives, communities across NYC, the Hamptons, New Jersey, and Florida are rallying together to support neighbors in need. Thanksgiving is not only a time to gather with loved ones, but also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of generosity. This year, numerous organizations are hosting food drives and donation initiatives to help ensure that every family can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. With the help of Brown Harris Stevens Agents, we’ve compiled a list of trusted charities accepting donations across these regions. Your contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in strengthening our communities and sharing the spirit of the season.

City Harvest

As New York City’s first and largest food-rescue organization, City Harvest runs major seasonal food drives, including the “Daily News Food Drive” from Tuesday, October 21, 2025 to Friday, January 16, 2026, providing an extended window around Thanksgiving. They ask for non-perishable food donations that can be dropped off at designated public drop-off locations (e.g., FDNY or NYPD stations, Apple Bank branches) during the drive period.

Click here to learn more & Make a monetary donation

The Friendly Fridge BX

The Friendly Fridge BX is a community food fridge in the Bronx known for its annual Thanksgiving food drive. Donations of pantry staples can be dropped off on Tuesday, November 25, just before the Thanksgiving distribution. Items most needed include rice, beans, pasta and sauce, cooking oil, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, canned tuna and salmon, onions, and garlic. These donations help provide fresh produce and essential pantry goods to families on Thanksgiving morning.

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Human Needs Food Pantry (Montclair, NJ)

This long-standing pantry delivers weekly groceries to homebound senior citizens and other residents in need. Their Thanksgiving Food Drive supports the effort to provide full holiday meals to over 1,000 clients. Donations help ensure that every household receives traditional Thanksgiving provisions along with essential staples.

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Heart of the Hamptons (Southampton, NY)

Heart of the Hamptons collects turkeys and holiday food items to support local families throughout the holiday season. Beginning November 19, they distribute weekly groceries along with turkeys, hams, fresh produce, and holiday sides. All monetary donations directly support holiday meals for families in need. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

The organization also hosts an annual Polar Bear Plunge on December 13. Their goal is to raise $350,000 to provide financial and food assistance to the members of the community.

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Whalers Church Food Pantry (Sag Harbor)

Whalers Church hosts a significant year-round, non-denominational community food pantry serving Sag Harbor Village. The pantry played a critical role during COVID-19, helping local families and neighbors facing hardship. It continues to support the Sag Harbor community with consistent access to food.

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Springs Food Pantry (East Hampton)

Located in Springs, this pantry is a vital resource for East End families facing food insecurity. Community members emphasize the importance of supporting this pantry, which provides groceries and seasonal assistance throughout the year.

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East Hampton Food Pantry

Serving the East End since 1990, the East Hampton Food Pantry operates across three locations in and around East Hampton. The pantry supports residents year-round with groceries and holiday provisions. It is widely regarded as a reliable, longstanding organization addressing local food insecurity.

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United Way Miami

United Way Miami hosts an annual Thanksgiving Drive that gathers non-perishable food items and monetary donations to assemble complete holiday meal kits for families in need throughout Miami-Dade County. Donors can participate by dropping off food items at designated locations or by contributing financially to support meal-kit creation. The organization also provides detailed instructions on how to participate, including opportunities to volunteer for meal-kit assembly, making it an excellent option for individuals and groups in the South Florida area looking to give back during the holiday season.

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The American Heart Association

Hamptons agent Michael Petersohn is proudly fundraising for the American Heart Association, an organization he and his family have a longstanding dedication to supporting. If you would like to contribute to their efforts, please click the link below to donate.

Click here to donate