Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Seeks Donations for Annual Turkey Drive Serving Local Families In Need

Ahead of Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (CCSN) is asking the community to come together in support of neighbors in need once again. 

With inflation and the effects of rising food prices weighing on individuals across the country, CCSN is calling on the community to donate frozen turkeys and non-perishable food. Through its year-round food programs, CCSN provides nutritious meals and resources to Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable populations, including food-insecure households, people experiencing homelessness and homebound seniors.

“As we head into the holiday season, it’s more evident than ever that the need for support in our city is growing,” said Sara Ramirez, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. “This increase reflects the quiet hardships so many families and the most vulnerable face every day. But with that challenge comes an opportunity, a chance for us to come together and make a meaningful impact. Whether through a donation of food, funds or your time, your generosity can be the lifeline someone needs this Thanksgiving. Let’s unite in kindness, serve hope alongside every meal, and ensure that no one is left out of the warmth and joy of the season.”

Hands of Hope, the organization’s food pantry, will be distributing 3,500 frozen turkeys along with meal fixings to meet the expected demand. The community can help by donating frozen turkeys or other non-perishable food items, or by making a $25 donation online. One donation can provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family of four.

Donations of frozen turkeys and nonperishable dinner fixings, such as boxed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and canned yams, will be accepted daily from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be accepted on the weekends at the Catholic Charities campus, located at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV 89101. 

From October 24^th through October 28^th, CCSN kitchen staff will conduct substantial prep work, including roasting turkeys, cooking sides and sauces, and packaging thousands of meals in advance of all Thanksgiving activities. This preparation will enable them to deliver double the number of Meals on Wheels packages to  homebound seniors the week before Thanksgiving. The Meals on Wheels tray line plating 2,400 meals will happen October 29^th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In November, CCSN will serve its 60th consecutive free Thanksgiving meal to 750 homeless and vulnerable men, women, and children, hosting an enormous feast consisting of roasted turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It will also deliver 2,400 holiday meals to homebound seniors through its Meals on Wheels program.

Those interested in volunteering at CCSN’s campus can view and sign up for various service opportunities at CatholicCharities.volunteerhub.com.