Many local Vincentian groups (conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul based out of Catholic parishes, Associations of the Ladies of Charity, etc.) run food pantries to respond to needs in their area, and some have dining rooms where volunteers will serve you a hot meal.

In the United States, Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for many of the dining rooms. For example, on Thanksgiving day St. Vincent de Paul of Phoenix, Arizona will serve 4,500 Thanksgiving Day meals to individuals and families in need. Just do an internet search for “SVDP Thanksgiving dinner” and you will see hundreds of similar stories, whether large-scale or smaller neighborhood efforts.

In this video, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Louisville, Kentucky explain their Thanksgiving meal:

Not only on Thanksgiving but every day… last year, SVDP Phoenix estimate they provided more than 10 million meals through their five dining rooms and emergency food box distribution to individuals and families in need.