As Thanksgiving draws near, many families eagerly anticipate gathering for a festive meal. However, not everyone has the means to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. This year, the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) is stepping in to assist those in need through its annual Turkey Drive, ensuring that no family goes without a holiday feast.
How JFS Supports Families in Need
In 2025, JFS played a crucial role in providing 725 complete Thanksgiving meals to families across the region. With the goal of continuing this impactful tradition, JFS is calling on the community to help ensure that families lacking resources can celebrate with a wholesome holiday dinner. You can support this initiative in several easy ways.
Contribute a Holiday Meal
For just $45, you can sponsor a complete Thanksgiving meal for a family. Due to limited refrigeration and freezer capacities, the organization cannot accept turkey donations directly. Instead, families will receive gift cards to purchase turkeys, ensuring they can enjoy this classic holiday dish.
Fill a Meal Bag
Each holiday meal comes complete with all the essential sides, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, macaroni and cheese, string beans, corn, gravy, and cranberry sauce. If you’re willing to fill one or two bags with these sides, your contribution will make a meaningful difference for a family this Thanksgiving.
Gift Card Donations
Another way to contribute is by donating gift cards worth $25 to local grocery stores. These cards enable families to buy turkeys themselves, directly helping them secure the centerpiece of their Thanksgiving meal. Monetary donations are also appreciated, as every bit helps.
JFS is a vital community resource, offering food and basic necessities to thousands each year. From January to September 2026, over 17,255 individuals sought food assistance through the organization, with JFS distributing more than 472,400 pounds of food to those in need.
Your Support Matters
“JFS is dedicated to organizing our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive because we understand the importance of providing families with nutritious and hearty meals that foster togetherness,” remarked Andrea Steinberg, the Chief Executive Officer of JFS. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of local donors—be they businesses, schools, organizations, or individuals—who make it possible for us to meet the needs of our community.”
You can make Turkey Drive donations online at jfsatlantic.org or by mailing a check made out to JFS at 607 North Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402. Alongside financial contributions, JFS is also seeking volunteers to help sort, pack, and deliver these meals. If you’re interested in donating your time, please reach out to JFS for more information.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and unity, and with your help, JFS can ensure that families in our community enjoy this special holiday. Your support is invaluable!