The holidays can be a joyful time, but they can also bring extra stress, loneliness, or worries about making ends meet. If Thanksgiving feels a little harder this year, you’re not alone and there are programs throughout Washtenaw County that can help. Whether you’d like to share a meal with others at a local senior café, enjoy a community Thanksgiving dinner, or pick up a holiday meal to take home, there are options to help you enjoy the season without the added worry of putting a meal on the table. And since today is Veterans Day, be sure to check out last week’s blog post for local Veterans Day events and free meals for veterans, too.
Thanksgiving Baskets
- Aid in Milan– provides Thanksgiving food boxes to those who live in the Milan Area School District or the 48160-area code. Call (734)439-8420 for more information.
- Click here to complete an intake form.
- Faith in Action– provides Thanksgiving food baskets for those living in the Chelsea and Dexter school districts. Call (734) 475-3305 for more information.
- Saline Area Social Service– provides Thanksgiving food baskets for residents of the Saline school district. Call (734) 429-4570 for more information.
- Click here for eligibility requirements and client registration forms.
Thanksgiving Meals
As of the writing of this post, details are not yet available for many of the agencies that held meals in 2025. Some agencies are moving towards a model where they connect their clients directly with meals instead of hosting dinners and program for the general public.
- Chelsea Hospital Community Thanksgiving Dinner (Thursday, November 26th, 11:30am- 1:30 pm).
- Held at the Chelsea Senior Center.
- Call (734) 475-9242 by November 16th to reserve your spot!
- Hope Clinic Thanksgiving Meal Distribution (Thursday, November 26th, 5:00-6:00 pm)
- Held at the Ypsilanti location. Carry out only!
- Call (734) 484-2989 for more information.
Visit Food Gatherers’ website for a list of Holiday Meals for 2026.
Senior Cafés & On-Site Meals
Below is a list of low-cost lunch programs. Many agencies require that you call ahead or fill out paperwork to reserve a lunch, so please make sure to read details and call with any questions or if you have dietary restrictions.
Ann Arbor
- Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353
- Days served: Tuesdays, Fridays (closed Friday, November 27th)
- Time: Noon- 1:00 pm
- Cost:
- $5.50 if under age 60
- $3 for those age 60+
- Must call at least two days in advance to reserve a meal
- WISE Senior Center at the J (734) 219-5354
- Days served: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (closed Friday, November 27th)
- Time:
- 12:30-1:30 pm (Mondays)
- Noon-1:00 pm (Wednesdays/Fridays)
- Cost:
- $5.50 if under age 60
- $3 if age 60+
- Must register at least two days in advance to reserve a meal.
- Click here to register for lunch
Chelsea
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242
- Days served: Monday-Friday (closed Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th)
- Time: Noon-1:00 pm
- Cost:
- $5 if under age 60
- $3-$5 suggested donation per meal if under age 60
- Must call at least one day in advance to reserve a meal
- Visit website for current menu
Dexter
- Dexter Senior Center (734) 253-2370
- Days served: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays (closed Friday, November 27th)
- Time: Noon-1:00 pm
- Cost:
- $5 if under age 60
- $3 suggested donation if under age 60
- Must call at least two days in advance to reserve a meal
- Click here for Senior Café registration form
- Visit website for current menu
Manchester
- Manchester Area Senior Citizen Council, Inc (MASCC) (734) 212-3080
- Days served: Tuesdays & Thursdays (closed Thursday, November 26th)
- Time: Noon-2:00 pm
- Cost: $5 donation
- Reservations recommended, please call ahead
- Visit website for current menu
Milan
- Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229
- Days served: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays (closed Thursday, November 26th)
- Time: 11:45 am-1:00 pm
- Cost: $5
- Must call at least two days in advance to reserve a meal
Northfield Township
- Northfield Township Senior/Community Center (734) 449-2295
- Days served: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays (closed Thursday, November 26th)
- Time: Noon-1:00 pm
- Cost:
- $6.50 if under age 60
- $3 age 60+
- Reservations recommended, please call ahead
- The center will deliver meals on Thanksgiving to seniors who have signed up for the Senior Café and Meals on Wheels. The Center will do the same for Christmas and New Years Day. Call to get connected to the food programs and let them know if you need a meal delivered.
Ypsilanti
- Hope Clinic (734) 484-2989
- Offers hot meals for carry out:
- Days served: Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays (No Wednesdays)
- Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
- Cost: None
- No appointment necessary
- Peace HUB Community Resource Center (734) 714-8800
- Days served: Wednesdays
- Time: 11:30 am- 1:00 pm
- Cost: Call for more information
- Open to seniors ages 55+
- Also offers Community Dinners on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:30 pm!
- As of the writing of this post, it was not decided whether the Wednesday lunch would be served on November 25th. The Tuesday Night Community Dinner will run as usual on Tuesday, November 24th
- Ypsilanti Senior Center (734) 483-5014
- Days served: Monday-Friday (closed Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th)
- Time: 11:45 am-12:30 pm
- Cost:
- $5.50 if under age 60
- $3 if age 60+
- Must call in advance to reserve a meal
- Menu is usually included in most recent newsletter
- Also offers Third Thursday Community Potluck at 11:45am. Call for more information.
Ypsilanti Township
- Lincoln Golden Ages (734) 218-4253
- Days served: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays (closed Thursday, November 26th)
- Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm
- Visit website for current menu
- Ypsilanti Township 50 & Beyond Program (734) 544-3800
- Days served: Monday-Friday (closed Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th)
- Time: 11:00 am-noon
- Cost: $3 suggested donation
- Must call one week in advance to reserve a meal
- Menu is usually included in most recent newsletter
Grocery Deals
Check out your local grocery store! Some of the bigger stores are offering lower prices on traditional Thanksgiving foods. If you order online, you can add everything directly to your cart.
- Aldi is advertising a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people for under $39 (sale runs until 11/25/26). Note: This is not a bagged to-go meal, but rather a store-wide sale. Visit the website for a full list of items included in the sale.
- Target is advertising a Thanksgiving meal for six people for $30. Note: This is not a bagged to-go meal, but rather a store-wide sale. Read the press release for a full list of items included in the sale.
- Walmart is advertising a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people for $35. Note: This is not a bagged to-go meal, but rather a store-wide sale. Click here to add the meal to your cart on Walmart’s website.
As of the writing of this post, Aldi was the only store that publicized its Thanksgiving meal deal. Kroger, Target, and Walmart offered similar deals in 2025.
Visit the Senior Resource Connect Online Senior Resource Directory to find food assistance programs near you