Where to Donate Thanksgiving Food in Orange County 2026

Looking for places to donate Thanksgiving food in Orange County? Local food banks, community organizations, and nonprofits are collecting canned goods, pantry staples, turkeys, grocery gift cards, and other holiday essentials to help families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Whether you have a few extra cans in your pantry, want to organize a neighborhood food drive, or would like to donate an entire Thanksgiving meal, there are several ways to help local families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.

We've rounded up a few Orange County organizations accepting Thanksgiving food donations in 2026, including where to drop off donations, what items are needed, and important collection deadlines.

Where to Donate Thanksgiving Food in Orange County

1. Fresh Beginnings Ministries – Costa Mesa

Fresh Beginnings Ministries is collecting food, financial contributions, and frozen turkeys for its 2026 Thanksgiving distribution, which aims to provide holiday meals to 1,500 families in need.

The organization works with churches, shelters, and community partners throughout Orange County to distribute family food boxes and Thanksgiving meals.

Requested donations:

Frozen turkeys
Non-perishable food items
Thanksgiving meal ingredients
Monetary contributions

Donation deadline: November 10, 2026

Drop-off location:
1532 Newport Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Donation hours: By appointment. Contact the organization before dropping off donations.

Phone: (714) 472-9634

Email: bill@freshbeginningsministries.com

Website: Fresh Beginnings Ministries

2. Share Ourselves – Costa Mesa

Share Ourselves is hosting its annual Thanksgiving food drive to help local families enjoy a holiday meal.

The organization is collecting traditional Thanksgiving pantry staples, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, and other holiday essentials. Donations must be unopened and unexpired.

Requested donations:

Boxed stuffing
Boxed mashed potatoes
Canned green beans
Non-perishable gravy
Canned cranberry sauce
Canned pumpkin
Canned yams or sweet potatoes
Canned vegetables and fruit
Cornbread mix
Brownie mix

Donation dates: November 16–19, 2026

Drop-off hours: 8 AM–3:30 PM

Drop-off location:
1550 Superior Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

For assistance with food drive collection bins or donation pickup, contact Community Programs Coordinator Carmen Marquez Vazquez at cmmvazquez@shareourselves.org.

Website: Share Ourselves Thanksgiving Food Drive

3. Families Forward – Irvine

Families Forward helps Orange County families achieve housing and financial stability while providing food assistance and other essential resources.

Its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collects groceries to help families prepare a homemade Thanksgiving meal.

Individuals, families, businesses, and community groups can contribute food donations or organize their own collection drives. Please note that glass items are not accepted.

Requested donations: Thanksgiving meal ingredients and non-perishable food items.

Donation deadline: November 16, 2026

Drop-off hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4:30 PM

Drop-off location:
8 Thomas
Irvine, CA 92618

Deliver donations at the ramp on the side of the building.

Phone: (949) 552-2727

Email: fooddrives@families-forward.org

Website: Families Forward Holiday Giving

4. Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS-OC) – Orange & Placentia

Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County is collecting non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards for its 2026 Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Donations help provide warm holiday meals to families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Requested donations:

Non-perishable food items
Canned goods
Thanksgiving meal staples
Grocery gift cards

Donation dates: October 12–November 19, 2026

Drop-off hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 AM–7 PM

Orange drop-off location:
1130 N. Citrus St.
Orange, CA

Placentia drop-off location:
907 N. Bradford Ave.
Placentia, CA

Email: volunteer@his-oc.org

Website: Homeless Intervention Services of OC

5. Friendly Center – Buena Park

Friendly Center's Full Shelves, Full Hearts Food Drive is collecting groceries and gift cards to stock its Friendly Mart, allowing families to select the foods they need rather than receiving preassembled Thanksgiving baskets.

The organization is working toward a goal of 1,000 gratitude pledges for its 2026 holiday distribution.

Requested donations:

Traditional Thanksgiving items:

Canned yams
Canned corn
Cranberry sauce
Dry mashed potatoes
Canned green beans
Pumpkin pies (not frozen)
Dinner rolls
Stuffing
Turkey gravy

International pantry staples:

Bulgur
Canned grape leaves
Dried rice noodles
Fish sauce
Hominy
Legumes
Rice paper
Sesame oil
Tamale husks
Tortillas

Grocery gift cards of $25–$50 are also welcome.

Donation date: Monday, November 23, 2026

Drop-off location:
William Peak Park
7189 El Dorado Dr.
Buena Park, CA 90620

Important: Food donations are accepted by appointment only.

Questions: (714) 769-8869

Email: donations@friendlycenter.org

Website: Friendly Center Full Shelves, Full Hearts

6. The Hub OC – Orange

The Hub OC is asking the community to help set the table this Thanksgiving through its SAY YES holiday campaign.

The organization is collecting food donations for its Thanksgiving feasts and supporting families experiencing hunger and homelessness throughout Orange County.

How to help:

Donate requested Thanksgiving food items.
Contribute toward the organization's turkey drive.
Volunteer during holiday meal events.

Thanksgiving food donation drop-off:

Thursday, November 26, 2026
7:30 AM–11 AM

Location:
The Hub Resource Center
517 W. Struck Ave.
Orange, CA

Food donations can be coordinated through the organization's online sign-up.

Website: The Hub OC Thanksgiving Campaign

7. OC Food Bank / Community Action Partnership of Orange County – Garden Grove

The OC Food Bank, operated by Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC), distributes food through a network of community organizations and food pantries throughout Orange County.

The food bank accepts donations of shelf-stable groceries and encourages individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups to organize food drives.

Most-needed food items:

Canned meat and fish
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Peanut butter
Dry beans
Pasta
Rice
Cereal

Drop-off hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–3 PM

Drop-off location:
11870 Monarch St.
Garden Grove, CA 92841

When arriving, park behind the building near the warehouse. Bring donations to the center port and check in with the window clerk. Flatbed carts are available.

Restaurants and caterers with prepared food donations should contact CAP OC's food recovery partners.

Phone: (714) 897-6670

Website: CAP OC Food Bank & Food Drives

8. Orange County Rescue Mission – Tustin

Orange County Rescue Mission accepts food donations throughout the year to help provide meals for people living on its campuses and families throughout Orange County.

The organization distributes approximately 400 food boxes each month, making grocery donations especially valuable during the holiday season.

Requested food donations:

Canned items:

Tuna and canned meat
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Spaghetti or marinara sauce
Beans
Soup

Packaged items:

Peanut butter
Rice
Cereal
Snack bars
Pasta

Donation hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–5 PM

Drop-off location:
Village of Hope
1 Hope Drive
Tustin, CA 92782

Questions: (714) 441-8039

Email: DonationDrives@RescueMission.org

Website: Orange County Rescue Mission Donation Information

Where to Donate Thanksgiving Food — Photo by Heidi Deal / Enjoy Orange County

What Food Items Should You Donate?

If you're planning to donate food but aren't sure what to purchase, most food banks and community organizations are looking for shelf-stable groceries that can help families prepare complete meals.

Popular Thanksgiving donation items include:

Canned vegetables (green beans, corn, peas)
Canned yams and sweet potatoes
Canned cranberry sauce
Canned fruit
Boxed stuffing
Mashed potato mixes
Turkey gravy
Canned soups
Rice and dry beans
Pasta and pasta sauce
Peanut butter
Cereal
Cornbread and baking mixes
Canned pumpkin

Some organizations also accept frozen turkeys, fresh rolls, pies, and other perishable items for specific holiday programs.

A few donation reminders:

Donate unopened food in its original packaging.
Check expiration and best-by dates.
Avoid dented, damaged, or leaking cans.
Check with the organization before donating refrigerated or frozen items.
Don't assume every food bank accepts homemade or prepared foods.
Contact the organization before dropping off large donations or organizing a food drive.

More Ways to Help Orange County Families This Thanksgiving

Food donations aren't the only way to make a difference during the holidays. If you don't have time to shop for groceries or deliver donations, consider making a monetary contribution. Many organizations use financial donations to purchase turkeys, fresh produce, and other essentials in bulk.

You can also:

Organize a neighborhood Thanksgiving food drive.
Collect grocery gift cards with friends or coworkers.
Sponsor a family's Thanksgiving meal.
Volunteer to sort, pack, and distribute food.
Help deliver holiday meals to local families.
Support food banks throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

Even a small donation can help make Thanksgiving a little easier for a local family.

More Thanksgiving Resources

Looking for additional ways to celebrate and give back this holiday season? Check out our other Orange County Thanksgiving guides:

Donation dates, hours, and accepted items can change. Please confirm details directly with each organization before making a trip. This guide reflects information published for the 2026 Thanksgiving season.