2025 Food and Holiday Assistance
211 Virginia Staff
We’ve gathered a list of free food, winter, and holiday assistance events happening across the Commonwealth of Virginia. These may include Thanksgiving and holiday meal distribution, food giveaways, and toys and gifts for children. We’ve also included ways to give for those interested in supporting local programs and families in need.
Please note that some events may require advance registration or eligibility verification, and availability may vary by location. Assistance is often provided while supplies last.
To maintain up-to-date information, past events have been removed from the page.
If your organization is hosting a food or holiday assistance event and would like it included, please contact Lori Rouse Mann at lorim@councilofcommunityservices.org.
Statewide Resources
211 Virginia
211 Virginia is a free, confidential, and accessible service that connects people with information on available community services throughout the Commonwealth. Whether you need assistance with housing, food, healthcare, or other services, 211 Virginia is here to help. https://211virginia.org/.
Ways to Connect:
- Call: 2-1-1 (or 1-800-230-6977)
- Text: CONNECT to 247-211 to text with a live Community Resource Specialist or text FOOD to 247-211 for links to the 211 Virginia public search directory, the food pantry locator website, and the VENA webpage.
- Chat, Email, or Search: https://211virginia.org/
For the latest on SNAP payments, please visit https://dss.virginia.gov/snapfacts.
Virginia Cares Initiative
Governor Youngkin recently launched the Virginia Cares Initiative, a Commonwealth-wide food drive created to support Virginians affected by the federal government shutdown. Virginians can support their neighbors by donating food, funds, or by volunteering through regional food banks, which will distribute aid through a network of more than 1,000 pantries statewide. Virginians can visit the Virginia Cares Initiative sign-up page to learn more, find their nearest food bank, and receive regional information on how to donate, volunteer, or host a food drive.
Virginia Federation of Food Banks
Seven regional food banks serve every community across Virginia. Use the Virginia Food Bank Locator to locate the food bank that serves your area. Visit their website, give them a call, or search by zip code to find the food bank nearest you. Find Food Banks & Pantries | Federation of Virginia Food Banks.
Virginia Fresh Match – Harvest Special with SNAP/EBT
In addition to VFM’s regular SNAP match, this November, SNAP customers get $20 in free fruits and vegetables when they shop at a participating farmers’ market. At participating retail locations, SNAP customers get 75% off produce from November 19 – 26. No registration is required; just visit a participating location and bring your SNAP card! To find a location, visit www.virginiafreshmatch.org/locate.
Get Help – Events by Region
📍 East Central
FREE Distribution Day
November 13, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Secondhand Treasures, 1176 Huell Matthews Hwy, South Boston
For more information, call 434-575-7616 x 232. Provided by Tri-County Community Action Agency, Inc.
Community Food Distribution Day
December 2, 2025, Morning: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Afternoon: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
The Woman’s Club of King & Queen, 208 Allens Circle, King & Queen CH, VA 23085
Registration is REQUIRED by November 24, 2025, by calling 804-362-6835. Thrive Virginia, with support from Feed More and the King & Queen Department of Social Services, is helping neighbors restock their kitchen.
📍 Northern
📍 Northwest
📍 Southeast
📍 Southwest
Weekly Food Distribution
November: Every Wednesday – 12th, 19th, and Monday, 24th
December: Every Monday and Wednesday
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Presbyterian Community Center, Roanoke, VA
Free Meal Bag Daily Distribution
Daily, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Antioch Greater Love Ministries, 319 Maple St, Marion, VA
Free to the public. Provided by the Antioch Greater Love Church
Free Community Meal
November 16, 2025, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Gate City High School Parking Lot, Gate City, VA
Free to the public. Provided by The Cluck Truck.
Turkey Dinner Giveaway
November 20, 2025, 2:00 – 4:oo PM
Dickenson Center for Education and Research, 818 Happy Valley Dr, Clintwood, VA
Ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals, grocery vouchers, and food boxes.
Free Community Meal
November 23, 2025, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
TBD, Clintwood, VA
Free to the public. Provided by The Cluck Truck.
Free Community Meal
November 30, 2025, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Lebanon Farmer’s Market, Lebanon, VA
Free to the public. Provided by The Cluck Truck.
📍West Central
Give Help – Events by Region
📍 East Central
Help Stock the Shelves at Villa Grocery Food Pantry
St. Joseph’s Villa is in need of pop-top canned goods (soups, fruits, vegetables, and proteins) and non-perishable, shelf-stable foods. For more information, contact May Rousis, Director of Community Engagement, at mrousis@sjvmail.net.
Tri-County Community Action Agency, Inc. is collecting donations for families – including new or gently used items of all kinds – clothing and shoes for all sizes, toys, books, maternity and infant supplies, and feeding items like cups, plates, and utensils. Donations accepted year-round at Tri County’s Main Office at 1176 Huell Matthews Highway in South Boston.
📍 Northern
📍 Northwest
📍 Southeast
ForKids Thanksgiving Basket Drive – accepting donations November 3-17, 2025, Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 PM. Drop off locations: ForKids Chesapeake, 1001 Poindexter St.; ForKids Suffolk, 119 W. Constance Rd. Holiday-Drives-2025-Flyer
ForKids Holiday Toy Drive – accepting donations December 1-15, 2025, Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 PM. Drop off locations: ForKids Chesapeake, 1001 Poindexter St.; ForKids Suffolk, 119 W. Constance Rd. Holiday-Drives-2025-Flyer