How to Get A Free Thanksgiving Turkey
Are you interested in saving some cash by learning how to get a free Thanksgiving turkey?
Well, you’re in luck because there are several stores and apps (along with some other organizations) that are making the holidays a bit brighter by offering free Thanksgiving turkeys.
Read on to learn how you can get a free turkey and avoid paying this year’s higher turkey prices.
Where To Get A Free Thanksgiving Turkey
Although there are often stipulations such as a minimum purchase requirement with some of these deals, you can get a free turkey from several stores and organizations. Here are some ideas.
1. Ibotta
Ibotta is hosting its third annual Thanksgiving dinner offer for all who are members of Ibotta (it’s free to join).
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for Ibotta
- Check out the Turkey Bonus listed in the app.
- Take advantage of the turkey bonus at your favorite retailer.
- Once you’ve used your turkey bonus, you’ll get a Sides Bonus.
- Your Sides Bonus can unlock free side dishes such as stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and more.
Note that there may be stipulations to getting your deals, such as sharing the app with a friend. According to Ibotta, offers differ for each Ibotta user.
Hint: Whether or not you take advantage of the free turkey deal from Ibotta, using the app is a great way to save money on all of your grocery trips.
You can use Ibotta to find deals on everyday purchases at hundreds of retailers.
2. Giant Food
When you earn at least 400 points with your Giant Food Choice rewards card, you can qualify for a free turkey from Giant Food.
Points must be earned between October 14th and November 23rd and are dependent on you making qualified purchases. Once you earn the specified number of points, you can get your free turkey coupon either online or in-store.
Brands included in the free turkey giveaway include Giant Food turkeys and other brands. There are kosher-certified turkeys as well.
Not interested in a free turkey? This Giant Food promotion has other redemption options too, such as a 57-96 oz. Stouffer’s Party Size Meal or a Tofurky Plant-Based Roast & gravy.
Free turkey coupons can be redeemed either online or in-store between November 11 and November 23rd.
Note that you can only redeem one turkey promotion coupon per household. For example, you can’t get two coupons and use one for a free turkey and one for a free Stouffer’s Party Size meal.
See the store’s website for more details on the terms and conditions of the promotion.
3. BJ’s Wholesale Club
Bj’s Wholesale Club is giving away coupons for free turkeys when you spend at least $150 in the same transaction, either in the club or online.
Get a free Butterball® Turkey when you purchase $150 qualifying items between 11/1/23 and 11/9/23 (after discounts, but before taxes and fees). Spend $150 in club or online, including Same-Day Delivery, in one transaction, from 11/1/23-11/9/23.
On 11/11/23, a coupon for a free Butterball® turkey (frozen or fresh) will surface in your coupon collection. Redeem this coupon from 11/11/23-11/22/23. When you checkout, the cost of the turkey will be removed from your receipt and you’ll receive your turkey free.
Note that you’ll need to create an online member account with BJ’s if you don’t already have one. It’s this member account that allows you to be able to digitally “clip” your free turkey coupon.
The chain has over 225 locations, mostly on the East Coast with some stores in the Midwest.
Membership is required to shop here (similar to Sam’s Club and Costco) and membership plans currently cost between $55 and $110 per year.
Hint: If you’re on the fence about joining a wholesale club like BJ’s, consider the many benefits they offer such as free air for your tires, and discount prices on everything from automotive to furniture to food.
I’ve been a member of both Sam’s Club and Costco for several years, and the membership costs are easily made up by the savings these warehouse clubs offer.
4. Weis Markets
Weis Markets is giving away a free turkey when you earn at least 400 points with your Weis Rewards account, which is the equivalent of spending $400.
Your free turkey points are redeemable from November 2 through November 23rd. There’s a limit of one free turkey per household.
And your reward isn’t limited only to a free turkey. You can choose a free Tofurky, a free Tofurky ham, a Weis Quality 40 oz. macaroni and cheese, meat lasagna or vegetable lasagna.
There are also several other deals available when you’ve earned just 200 points. See the Weis website for details.
There is a limit of one free turkey (or Tofurky or Weis meal) per household. Weis Markets has nearly 200 locations.
The stores are located in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia.
See the Weis Markets website for all terms and conditions.
5. ACME Markets
ACME Markets is offering a free turkey when you add the ACME for U app to your phone and then “clip” the digital coupon for the free turkey.
You need to spend at least $300 at ACME Markets in order to qualify for the free turkey.
And you need to redeem your free turkey coupon no later than November 23, 2023. Note that you need to enter your ACME Markets registered phone number each time you check out in order to get credit for your points.
ACME Markets are located on the East Coast in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The chain has over 160 store locations and is owned by Albertsons stores.
6. Foodtown
You can get a free turkey from Foodtown when you use your Club Card and spend at least $400 from October 21st through November 23rd on eligible Foodtown purchases.
Your free turkey coupon can be used toward a ham instead of a turkey. Foodtown has over 60 locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
7. ShopRite
ShopRite stores are giving away a free turkey when you use your Price Plus Club Card and spend the qualifying amount at local ShopRite stores.
The “qualifying amount” varies based on the store you shop at, so you’ll have to look at the bottom of each receipt when you make purchases to see how close you are to earning your free turkey.
You can also check store location circulars at your store to find out the exact dollar amount you need to spend to earn your free turkey.
Hint: You can expect the qualifying dollar amount to be similar to other stores listed here; somewhere between the $300 and $400 range.
Note that you can use your earnings to get other items besides a free turkey. You can get a free ham, a kosher turkey, a Tofurky, certain family-sized frozen meals or other items.
ShopRite has over 300 store locations in six different states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
8. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee stores are giving away a free turkey when you purchase a Hormel Cure81 whole boneless ham at $5.99 per pound.
Depending on the store location, dates for this deal may vary. Hy-Vee has nearly 300 store locations in the Midwest and in the southern U.S. States with Hy-Vee locations include:
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Kentucky
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- South Dakota
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Illinois
And more, with continued expansion plans in the works.
Details regarding this free turkey giveaway are hard to be found online. Your best bet is probably to head in to your local Hy-Vee store this week to get the scoop.
Terms and conditions may vary by location.
9. Local Food Shelves
Almost all areas–whether urban or rural–have some type of a food shelf nearby. Sometimes the food shelf is housed in its own building.
Other times the food shelf is housed in a separate building such as a church. Some communities host temporary or “pop-up” food shelves as well, such as Ruby’s Pantry, which operates in the Midwest.
Either way, food shelves can be great places to get free turkeys for Thanksgiving.
Many food shelf organizations have special holiday drives for those who need Thanksgiving turkeys.
Contact your local food shelf or find information regarding food shelves by searching community websites, social media pages or county websites.
Note that some food shelves have stipulations that need to be met in order to qualify to get a free turkey or other free food.
For example, you may need to meet income qualification guidelines, be able to prove a need, volunteer at the food shelf or make a small donation of time or money.
10. Local Churches
Local churches or religious organizations may be able to show you how to get a free Thanksgiving turkey as well.
I’ve been involved with several churches that have food shelves they operate. As an example, one church I know of has an in-house food shelf where attendees donate food and deliver food, while community members inside and outside of the church call when they have a need.
Depending on the individual religious organization, the host food shelf ministry might open weekly or monthly for people in need to visit.
Or they might deliver food to those in need. Reach out to religious organizations in your area to see if they offer free food or if they know of a fellow religious organization that does.
Note that both smaller and larger churches and other organizations can host food pantries or other food giveaways.
Reaching out to larger organizations might be a good way to start, but don’t pass by smaller religious organizations with hearts that are just as big.
11. Charitable Organizations
You may also find other types of charitable organizations that offer free Thanksgiving turkeys or other food.
Mason’s clubs, Lions clubs, VFWs, American Legions and similar organizations often give away free turkeys or host Thanksgiving dinners for those in need.
As an example, a local Masons Lodge in my area hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner serving domestic violence victims. Parents and their children who have sought help for domestic violence attend the dinner, and lodge members serve turkey, mashed potatoes and more.
This annual dinner is a well-attended event that helps domestic violence victims to feel cared for and attended to.
To learn how to get free turkeys or Thanksgiving dinners hosted by charitable organizations, look for advertisements in local papers, check social media sites or contact community organizations directly.
These sources should have information about any programs in your area that can help you get your free Thanksgiving turkey or dinner.
Summary
Knowing how to get a free Thanksgiving turkey doesn’t benefit you alone. Share this information with family, friends, neighbors and on social media.
We could all use a little extra money savings during this time of high inflation. With prices rising, opportunities for free food can be a nice bonus. Saving on Thanksgiving dinner is just one way to do this.
