Where to find free and low-cost Thanksgiving resources in Southwest Michigan

Watershed Voice has compiled a list of free or low-cost Thanksgiving resources available across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. These options are in addition to regularly scheduled food pantry services offered throughout the region.

St. Joseph County

Three Rivers Community Kitchen will serve its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday, November 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Trinity Church Parish Hall, 321 N. Main St. in Three Rivers. The meal is free and open to all, with a free-will offering accepted. The Community Kitchen will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

On Wednesday, November 26, Burr Oak Community Schools will host a Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the small gymnasium. A $3 donation is suggested but not required. Also on Wednesday, Centreville United Methodist Church will serve its regular Community Soup Supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 305 E. Main St. in Centreville. Later that evening, Burr Oak Missionary Church will provide a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 6 p.m. in its fellowship hall, 327 N. 3rd St.

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, includes several no-cost options. Riverside Church in Three Rivers will host a free Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 207 E. Michigan Ave., with RSVPs requested but not required. Smitty’s Pizza in Bronson will offer a free turkey dinner, with delivery from 11 a.m. to noon and carry-out from noon to 1 p.m.; donations are welcome but not required, and preorders are encouraged. Constantine American Legion Post 223will host a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner from noon to 2 p.m. Dawn’s Café in Colon will serve a no-cost Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with donations accepted but not required for dine-in or carry-out.

Cass County

As of publication, Watershed Voice has not yet compiled a confirmed list of free Thanksgiving meal events in Cass County. Community meals are often announced closer to the holiday, and this story will be updated as organizers share details. Organizations offering free meals are invited to email information to maxwell@watershedvoice.com.

Kalamazoo County

Josie’s Southern Comfort Food in Kalamazoo will offer a free Thanksgiving meal distribution on Tuesday, November 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals are available at no cost during the distribution window.

Berries Famous Pancake House, located on South Westnedge Avenue, will again serve a free Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day. The restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., welcoming anyone who wants a no-cost holiday dinner.

After-Thanksgiving: Holiday events

For those eager to shift into the Christmas season once the Thanksgiving dishes are put away, Watershed Voice has also assembled a list of upcoming holiday celebrations across the region.

Three Rivers will once again host Christmas Around Town, a multi-day citywide celebration featuring shopping events, family activities, and community traditions. Watershed Voice published a preview of this year’s event last week. Christmas Around Town marks the start of the holiday season in Three Rivers.

Dowagiac’s Candlelight Christmas Parade returns Friday, December 5, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m. Presented by the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and the City of Dowagiac, the parade features lighted floats, community groups, and an appearance by Kris Kringle. South Front Street will close at 4 p.m. to prepare for the event, and the procession will begin at Front and Main streets before looping through the downtown area.

Kalamazoo will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Bronson Park, with the lighting scheduled for approximately 6 p.m. South Street will be closed to traffic, with access reserved for event staff and the Holly Jolly Trolley, which will offer free rides downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will include music and dance performances, kids’ crafts sponsored by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, a “Grateful For” letter-writing activity, visits with Santa, appearances by the Kalamazoo Husky Club and Ice Guru, and performances by Courtney Moore, Sophia McIntosh, Gemini Moon, Pinter Whitnick, Trinity Prep Center, and the Kalamazoo Civic Carolers. Food vendors will include The Incredible Kettle, Teresa’s Kitchen, Coffee Rescue, Donut Cart, The Lab, and Ibison Concessions.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.