Thanksgiving Basket Drive

Let's talk turkey. And gravy, veggies, butter and rolls.

For the past 36 years, our Thanksgiving Basket Drive has been a tradition, with many long-serving staff, volunteers and their children returning year after year. It takes a village, that’s for certain.

We wish we could tell you a different story one of these years – one where everyone in our community has all they need to feed their family. But not this year. More people than ever are struggling because of circumstances outside of their control. Super pricey groceries. Rents going up (way up!) It’s no wonder shopping for a holiday meal is beyond budget. We plan to register 4,000 families — that’s more than 25,000 Dane County residents (including more than 10,000 children!) — for everything needed to prepare a traditional holiday meal. Read on to learn how you can register for a basket — or help.

Thanks to our partners:

Looking to register for a basket?

Registration isn't open just yet (opens Monday, Oct. 21). Learn more about how registration and pick-up works at the page below.

Info About Getting a Basket

Needed: Thanksgiving groceries for 4,000 Dane County families! Can you help?

CEO Letesha Nelson volunteers at the Goodman Center Thanksgiving Basket Drive with her family.

4,000 Frozen turkeys, 10-12 lbs
8,000 Cans vegetables
4,000 Boxes mac & cheese
4,000 Gravy, any kind
4,000 Cans cranberry sauce
4,000 Broth, any kind
4,000 Stuffing, any kind
4,000 Bottles vegetable oil, 16-24 oz
4,000 Aluminum Roaster pans

Dinner rolls, milk, butter, eggs, onions, potatoes, carrots, ice cream and pumpkin pie are secured on our end and also added to the baskets.

We rely on your food donations to meet our goals. Donations can be dropped off at the Goodman Community Center, during the following times:

Monday - Friday, Nov. 18-22 10am-7pm (Goodman gym)
Saturday - Sunday, Nov. 23-24, 9am-5pm (Waubesa Street)

Want to drop off sooner? No problem, stop by our Ironworks any day during the month of November, 9am-8pm. Please save frozen turkey donations until the week of Nov. 18!

Download Our Grocery List

A Look at Distribution Weekend

We depend on community members to make this epic effort happen, including hundreds of volunteers. Here's a look at the people who work so hard to make Thanksgiving a success. Thank you to everyone in our community for your support!

“My family and I were very emotional because we recently moved away from our country and never expected to have this kind opportunity to make a Thanksgiving meal for all of us. I’m so beyond grateful and blessed. Thank you all for everything.”

- 2023 Thanksgiving Basket recipient

Events

We are so thankful for community partners, businesses and organizations that host events to support our Thanksgiving Basket program.

Check Out Upcoming Events

Event Photos from Beth Skogen and Lovely Ember Photography

Badgers Give Back

The Goodman Community Center's Thanksgiving Basket Drive is very thankful for our partnership with Wisconsin Badgers and the UW's Badgers Give Back. Wisconsin Athletics is proud to continue its strong tradition of fighting hunger in the community.

Francesca Frisque

Assistant Director of Food Pantry
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Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Each year, we can only achieve our goal because of organizations that pull together and contribute tremendous amounts of food, money and time to help us organize it all. Thank you to these sponsors for giving the gift of a holiday meal to families in our community.

If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring our 2024 Thanksgiving Basket Drive, contact Meghan Johnson, Corporate Giving and Events Manager, at mjohnson@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8033. Click here to view our sponsorship levels.