Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program

Each Thanksgiving since 2000 local community groups, businesses and individuals have come together to volunteer for Branches’ Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program, the largest meal delivery effort in Florida. In 2013, 6,389 meals were provided to needy individuals and families by over 1,500 volunteers in less than four hours on Thanksgiving morning.

The volunteers collect food, prepare and pack meals and deliver Thanksgiving dinners to thousands of South Floridians who might otherwise be hungry and alone on this special holiday. Each meal includes turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, a roll with butter and, of course, a piece of pie.

Branches, a faith-based nonprofit organization established in 1973, partners with dozens of agencies that help identify clients for whom a delivered hot meal comes with a sense of caring and hopefulness that lets them know that they have not been forgotten. Provided along with their Thanksgiving dinner is valuable information, printed in English, Spanish and Creole, about how these residents can access Branches services, as well as other programs to help them become more financially stable. The goal is to provide knowledge and opportunities, along with a smiling face and a delicious holiday meal.

To learn more about Branches’ Thanksgiving program or to volunteer or donate, please contact Isabelle Pike at 305-442-8306, Ext. 1002, or email her at ipike@branchesfl.org. There are all sorts of ways you can volunteer or a donation can be earmarked for the Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program. A gift of $500 will feed one hundred people, and donations of any size are most welcome.

Local organizations that support this holiday program are Molina Healthcare, the sponsor for the Thanksgiving Meal Delivery; The Batchelor Foundation; Brown Mackie College Miami; Carnival Foundation; Goya Foods of Florida; HSBC; Publix Charities; Regions Bank; and United Way of Miami-Dade. Thank you all and Happy Thanksgiving!