How to get a Thanksgiving meal -- or help provide a meal -- in the Rock Hill region
A handful churches and nonprofits in the Rock Hill region are working now to help those in need over the Thanksgiving holiday.
And many are accepting donations.
Some groups have already started to collect and distribute supplies ahead of the holiday. Others are preparing to serve free meals on Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day.
For those in need of assistance this holiday and those who’d like to donate, here are local organizations working to provide free meals and supplies.
Pilgrims’ Inn
Where: 236 W Main St., Rock Hill
The Rock Hill nonprofit, which has a homeless shelter for women and children, is working to provide families throughout the region with meals over the holiday season.
The nonprofit has already received 80-plus turkeys from community members and now needs “anything that goes with a Thanksgiving meal,” volunteer coordinator Tom Burger said.
“This is a great time for people to contribute fresh things, like bags of potatoes, which we typically don’t have,” he said. “Cranberry, potatoes, sweet potatoes. We’ve got plenty of canned vegetables, but dessert and stuff to make the desserts, that would be helpful.”
The nonprofit, which also has transitional housing and a preschool, will start to distribute meals this week to families in its shelter, housing and preschool. And Burger said any other community members who may need food over the holidays can stop by the nonprofit’s food pantry.
“The need is growing,” Burger said. “With inflation, it’s really affecting those in our community on fixed incomes. All of a sudden, their grocery money doesn’t go as far, so we’re seeing an increase.”
The food pantry is open to the community Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
And the nonprofit is open to receive donations Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Rock Hill Community Fridge
Where: 130 W White St., Rock Hill
Last year, Rock Hill’s first-ever community fridge handed out dozens of meal boxes on Thanksgiving.
And although the 24/7 fridge, located outside The Mercantile in Rock Hill, is not serving boxes this year, it still offers food year round to those who need it.
And that means the fridge is constantly accepting donations.
York County residents who want to donate can leave items at the community fridge whenever they’d like. The fridge does not accept some items, including alcohol, homemade meals, leftovers, raw meat or seafood.
Clover Open Air Flea Market
Where: 406 Kings Mountain St., Clover
The market has been providing free Thanksgiving meals for more than a decade.
Anyone can stop by the flea market on Thanksgiving Day for a free meal, owner David Bowles said in a Facebook post. The flea market will begin serving at noon.
Anyone who needs a meal delivered can call Bowles at 704-214-2605.
Those who want to donate any food or drink items to the market should do so by Nov. 23 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. And anyone who wants to volunteer can come by the market at 9 a.m. on Nov. 24 or call Bowles.
The Manna House Pantry
Where: 546 S Cherry Rd., Rock Hill
The food pantry, which typically serves food every Saturday morning, is holding a turkey and chicken food drive this week.
The pantry is accepting donations through Nov. 18 and all donations can be dropped off at the pantry, located in the Pathways Community Center.
Saint Anne Catholic Church
Where: 1694 Bird St., Rock Hill
The Rock Hill church, which served more than 800 meals last year, will again provide meals on Thanksgiving holiday.
The church is in need of donations, including fully cooked turkeys, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce, according to its recent bulletin.
Those who need a meal or know someone in need of a meal can call the church at 803-329-2662 or send an email to stannethanksgiving@gmail.com. And those interested in volunteering or donating can call or email the church.
If you know of another organization accepting donations or providing meals over the Thanksgiving holiday, let The Herald know and we’ll include the information.
