Giving Thanks in Action: DMV Communities Rally to Support Neighbors in Need

As Thanksgiving approaches, communities across the DMV are stepping up to give back, offering support through meals, warm clothing, and vital resources for those in need. Nycci Nellis of The List Are You On It shared several standout initiatives highlighting the region’s generosity. In Baltimore, Goodwill will host its 68th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair at the Baltimore Convention Center, serving thousands of neighbors a full holiday meal while also providing winter coats, job training resources, and volunteer opportunities. In Adams Morgan, Popole Restaurant Group is collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves through December 14 at Lapis, with donations supporting refugees and local families in need. Another beloved tradition returns to Cleveland Park, where Medium Rare hosts its free Thanksgiving turkey fry for the 18th year. Community members can bring a thawed turkey (up to 10 pounds) to be fried at no cost, continuing a tradition born from the simple idea that not everyone has access to an oven. The event has grown into a true community gathering, drawing people from across the region year after year. Finally, Food & Friends will deliver more than 4,600 Thanksgiving meals across the DMV, powered by hundreds of volunteers helping with meal prep and deliveries. From coats to turkeys to full holiday meals, these efforts reflect the heart of the season—neighbors coming together to support one another through food, warmth, and community.