Thanksgiving Basket Drive

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

For the past 38 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. Rising prices at the pump. 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.

“It meant so much to me. I don't have much of a family, but my daughter and grandson. I never get to celebrate the holidays with them, because it embarrasses me not having food to have the family gathering for the holidays. I'm very thankful to ya'll at Goodman center and the people who are able to donate. God bless ya'll 🤗😊”

- 2025 Thanksgiving Basket recipient

Thanks to our partners:

Event Photos from Lovely Ember Photography

Lovely Ember Photography

For more information about our Thanksgiving Basket Drive contact:

Thanksgiving Team

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Sponsor our 2026 Drive!

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.

If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring our 2026 Thanksgiving Basket Drive, contact Meghan Johnson, Community Partnerships and Events Manager, at mjohnson@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8033.

View our 2026 sponsor menu