Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, gather with loved ones and enjoy a good meal. But it’s also a chance to give back to our community. While many of us are planning Thanksgiving dinner, some local families are struggling to put food on the table.
Whether you’re looking to lend a hand or could use a little help yourself, several Anne Arundel County organizations are working to make sure families have a meal this Thanksgiving. Many are collecting extra donations for the holiday, but their work doesn’t stop when Thanksgiving is over. These food banks, pantries and community programs provide much-needed support all year long.
Here are 10 local organizations making a difference this Thanksgiving season, plus resources for families who need a little extra help.
Annapolis Police Department Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Annapolis Police Department’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is collecting donations to help local families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
The department is asking for bags of potatoes and onions, boxes of stuffing and macaroni and cheese, canned green beans, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, jars of gravy and other nonperishable foods.
Donations can be dropped off at the Annapolis Police Department, located at 199 Taylor Avenue. This year’s donation deadline is Nov. 18.
Anne Arundel County Food Bank
The Anne Arundel County Food Bank helps fight hunger year-round by providing food to local pantries and community partners throughout the county.
Located at 120 Marbury Drive in Crownsville, the food bank accepts donations Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Both nonperishable food and financial contributions are welcome.
The Food Bank also connects families with local pantries and meal programs. If you or someone you know needs groceries, its online pantry finder is a great place to start.
And remember, donations are just as valuable after Thanksgiving!
Anne Arundel County Holiday Sharing Program
Want to make Thanksgiving a little brighter for a local family or senior? Anne Arundel County’s Holiday Sharing Program connects donors directly with residents who need extra support during Thanksgiving, Christmas and the winter holidays.
Once you register as a donor, you’ll be matched with a family or senior in your area. You can then contact them directly to arrange a food or gift delivery. Thanksgiving matches are prioritized first.
For families seeking assistance, eligibility is limited to qualifying Anne Arundel County residents, including seniors 65 and older and households with children that meet Department of Social Services requirements.
The recipient application deadline for 2026 was November 1, but those interested in donating can still visit the county’s website to learn about available opportunities.
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods)
SPAN is working to help more than 250 local families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this year!
Through its Thanksgiving Holiday Caring program, the Severna Park nonprofit is asking community members to sponsor a family by donating a Thanksgiving dinner box and a grocery gift card worth at least $25. Donors can also contribute a $50–$75 grocery gift card.
SPAN supports neighbors in Severna Park, Arnold, Millersville and Broadneck with year-round food assistance, along with help covering emergency expenses.
Families who need assistance can contact SPAN at 410-647-0889, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to learn about available services.
Love Wins Movement
Love Wins Movement is helping hundreds of Anne Arundel County families put Thanksgiving dinner on the table!
The organization will hold a special drive-up Thanksgiving food distribution on Thursday, November 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., at its Pantry & Marketplace at 8187 Telegraph Road in Severn.
Families will receive holiday meal supplies, including turkeys, side dishes and pantry staples.
Want to help? Community members can donate food, sponsor a turkey, contribute money or volunteer to prepare and distribute meals. Love Wins is also collecting food donations through November 15 as part of its Thanks & Giving Food Drive.
Families looking for assistance can visit the organization’s website for information about signing up.
Caring Cupboard
Sometimes, helping a neighbor is as simple as stocking a shelf!
Caring Cupboard helps fight food insecurity throughout Anne Arundel County by supplying food and essentials through school pantries, pop-up food distributions and Little Free Pantries around the county.
The organization also operates pantries at its headquarters at 8513 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena.
These programs rely on donations from residents and community partners to keep their shelves stocked. Families in need can visit the Caring Cupboard website to learn about its food assistance programs.
It’s a great way to make a difference close to home, not just during the holidays but throughout the year.
The Light House
For more than 35 years, The Light House has supported individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Annapolis area.
Through its Set the Holiday Table Meal Drive, The Light House collects holiday meal items to help neighbors experiencing homelessness and food insecurity enjoy Thanksgiving.
Its community kitchen and pantry also provide food assistance throughout the year.
Want to help? The organization welcomes financial contributions and donations of needed food and household essentials. Visit its website for the current wish list and holiday donation opportunities.
Heritage Baptist Church
For just $20, you can help put Thanksgiving dinner on a family’s table!
Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis is hosting its Thanksgiving Sponsor a Family program, with a goal of providing complete holiday meals to 150 families.
Each $20 sponsorship helps provide a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Donations can be made by cash, check or credit card.
Those looking to make a difference beyond the holidays can also support the church’s ongoing food pantry efforts.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crofton is helping hundreds of families enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner this year!
The parish’s annual Thanksgiving food drive provides meals to local families through its food pantry, along with families in Annapolis and Baltimore. Last year, the program distributed 229 dinners to local families through its food pantry alone.
Community members can help by filling reusable bags with Thanksgiving staples, including stuffing, instant potatoes, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy. Monetary donations are also welcome to help cover the cost of turkeys.
Food donations can be dropped off at the parish center during designated collection times through November 16.
Families needing assistance can contact the parish at 410-721-5770 to ask about food pantry services and holiday meal availability.
Y Fresh Mart
The Y Fresh Mart program helps families access nutritious food through community pantries at select YMCA locations across Maryland, including Pasadena.
Located at 26 Magothy Beach Road, the Pasadena Y Fresh Mart is open Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
These free community food pantries offer staples such as canned fruits and vegetables, bread, cereal, meat, rice and pasta, along with fresh produce when available. Some hygiene and cleaning supplies may also be available.
Donations are welcome year-round, helping families get the food and essentials they need when times are tough.
Need Help Putting Food on the Table This Thanksgiving?
If your family is struggling to afford groceries or Thanksgiving dinner, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Several local organizations offer free food and other assistance throughout Anne Arundel County.
Anne Arundel County Food Bank Pantry Finder
Not sure where to start? The Anne Arundel County Food Bank’s online pantry finder can help you locate nearby food pantries, baby pantries and soup kitchens. You can search for organizations in your area and find information about available services.
Anne Arundel County Food Access Warmline
Families who need help finding food can call 410-222-FOOD (3663). The county’s Food Access Warmline connects residents with local food programs and resources.
ACAN (Asbury Church Assistance Network)
ACAN operates a food pantry in Severna Park, providing groceries, fresh produce, dairy products and proteins as supplies allow.
The pantry is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ACAN also offers baby supplies and home delivery services for qualifying residents, including seniors and people with disabilities.
NCEON (North County Emergency Outreach Network)
For families in northern Anne Arundel County, NCEON offers emergency food and financial assistance.
Located at 304 Fifth Avenue SE in Glen Burnie, its food pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Families can receive food assistance based on the organization’s guidelines, and NCEON may also help with certain emergency expenses. Call 410-766-1826 for more information.
Annapolis-area community assistance
Families in the Annapolis area can also explore assistance through local organizations such as the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and The Light House. Programs may offer groceries, meals or referrals to other community resources.
Because holiday meal supplies and distribution schedules can change quickly, it’s always a good idea to contact an organization before visiting.
A Little Help Goes a Long Way
Thanksgiving is about more than what’s on the dinner table. It’s about showing up for our neighbors and making sure no one feels forgotten.
Whether you donate a few cans of food, sponsor a holiday meal or reach out for help when you need it, these local organizations remind us what community is all about.
And while Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to give back, the need doesn’t disappear when the leftovers are gone. A little kindness can make a big difference any time of year.
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