Thanksgiving is almost here. If money is tight this year, you are not alone — and if you can give a little, there are easy ways to help a neighbor. Here are three San Antonio drives to know about for Thanksgiving 2026: one for teachers, one city-wide food drive, and one that fills a whole family’s table.
1. Turkeys for Teachers — Saturday, November 7
Who it is for: Teachers. Any teacher at a Pre-K–12 public, private, charter, or parochial school can take part.
Firstmark Credit Union is giving a free holiday turkey to 1,000 local educators at its 7th annual Turkeys for Teachers, with The Lonnie Walker IV Foundation and HUB Investment Partners. You also get a bag of side dishes, goodie bags, and a chance to win door prizes.
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Where: Firstmark Credit Union Corporate Office, 2023 Gold Canyon Drive, San Antonio, TX 78232
- How it works: It is a drive-thru event. Come in through the back entrance.
- Cost: Free. Last checked October 30: the Eventbrite tickets are sold out. Teachers — it is still worth a look at the Eventbrite page in case a spot opens. If none does, the Food4SA drive below is open to everyone, all November.
- Questions: Call Firstmark at (210) 442-0100.
2. Food4SA — November 1 to 30
Who it is for: Everyone. Food4SA is the San Antonio Food Bank‘s big November food drive. It runs all month, from Sunday, November 1 to Monday, November 30, 2026. It is a simple way to give food — and the food goes to families right here in our area.
- Fill a Food4SA bag: Bags are delivered to homes with the San Antonio Express-News. Fill one with food and set it out to be picked up. Not an Express-News customer? You can pick up a Food4SA bag at the San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 Historic Old Hwy 90, San Antonio, TX 78227.
- Drop off food: You can also drop off nonperishable food at any area Security Service Federal Credit Union branch.
- Turkey Collection Saturdays (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM): November 7 at H-E-B College Park, November 14 at H-E-B Leon Springs, and November 22 at all area H-E-B Plus stores.
- Give money instead: Every $1 you give provides 7 meals.
- Questions: Call the Food Bank at 210-337-3663.
3. Gather and Give — through Wednesday, November 18
Who it is for: Local families who need a Thanksgiving meal — and anyone who wants to help them. The Working Moms of San Antonio Foundation runs Gather and Give. The goal is full Thanksgiving tables for 50 local San Antonio families. The drive runs through Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — that is the last day to give.
- Sponsor a family: For $60, you can help provide a Thanksgiving meal for a local family. You can sponsor one family, several families, or give any amount. Start on the Gather and Give page.
- Donate food: They collect new, unopened Thanksgiving staples — canned green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, and yams, and boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy packets. Drop food off at Fleet Feet, 17603 La Cantera Pkwy #117, San Antonio, TX 78257, through November 18.
- Volunteer: On November 18, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, volunteers organize donations and put together Thanksgiving meal kits for local families. Sign up on the Gather and Give page.
Need more help than one meal?
A turkey helps for one day. You may also qualify for free food help, rent help, utility help, and health care all year long. Take our free 2-minute check and see what your family can get:
Check what you qualify for — free, about 2 minutes
San Antonio Benefits is a free local guide. We are not a government office. Dates and details above come from each program’s own page — check the linked page before you go, in case times change.
Free food, free rides, free clothes, free furniture and more — all in one place.
