San Antonio, Texas, November 26, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, San Antonio businesses and organizations gear up to support the community. Initiatives include free meals, donation drives, and volunteer opportunities aimed at fostering gratitude and togetherness. Local establishments like The Purple Pig BBQ, Operation Turkey, and the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner are key contributors, providing meals and support to thousands. Additionally, fundraising events and donation drives aim to ensure that all residents can enjoy a warm and fulfilling holiday season.
San Antonio, Texas – Community Initiatives Ahead of Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, numerous businesses and organizations in San Antonio are actively engaging in community support to ensure that all residents can celebrate the holiday with warmth and gratitude.
Annual Thanksgiving Meals and Events
The Purple Pig BBQ, a veteran-owned barbecue establishment in Schertz, is set to host its fifth annual Thanksgiving Give-Back event. The initiative aims to provide free meals to the community, with over 700 meals distributed in previous years. This year, the restaurant anticipates surpassing that number, emphasizing the importance of togetherness during the holiday season.
Operation Turkey San Antonio is organizing a Thanksgiving morning event to prepare, package, and deliver 3,000 meals to those in need across the city. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in various activities, including food preparation, meal packaging, and delivery, fostering a spirit of community and generosity.
The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, now in its 45th year, continues to provide a warm meal, live entertainment, and fellowship to approximately 25,000 people annually. Founded by San Antonio restaurateur Raul Jimenez Sr., the event ensures that no one spends Thanksgiving hungry or alone.
Donation Drives and Fundraisers
The San Antonio Food Bank is accepting frozen turkey donations to support holiday meals for families in need. Residents can drop off turkeys at any H-E-B Plus store in the San Antonio area between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to turkeys, nonperishable food items and cash donations are also welcomed.
CPS Energy is hosting its annual GrillsGiving event, a celebration of barbecue, music, and community aimed at raising funds for the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP). The event, held on November 15, 2025, at Hangar 9 at Brooks, supports local families in need of utility bill assistance.
Rackspace Technology has expanded its annual food drive to a global scale, with employees from 14 countries donating over $23,000 to food banking organizations. This initiative provides more than 37,000 meals to families in need, highlighting the company’s commitment to combating hunger during the holiday season.
Community Support and Volunteering
The San Antonio Area Foundation has launched the “Gifts that Give Back” holiday giving guide, connecting donors with 28 nonprofits transforming the community. Each nonprofit aims to meet a $3,000 goal to carry its mission forward into the new year, offering various opportunities for community involvement and support.
Tango Charities is organizing its largest “Feed The City” event, where volunteers will prepare and distribute 250,000 meals to communities across the country. The initiative emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing hunger and supporting those in need.
Centro San Antonio encourages residents to support the season by donating cold-weather items, canned goods, volunteering, sponsoring, or attending charitable events. The organization collaborates with various local entities to promote health, safety, welfare, and education, fostering a strong sense of community during the holidays.
The Woman’s Club of San Antonio, established in 1898, continues its philanthropic efforts by partnering with businesses, local government, and other civic organizations to promote community welfare. The club’s longstanding commitment to education, health, and cultural programs underscores its dedication to enhancing the quality of life in San Antonio.
Solar San Antonio remains dedicated to providing information and resources for renewable and sustainable energy applications, helping homeowners decrease energy costs and explore alternative energy options. The organization’s efforts contribute to the community’s overall well-being and environmental sustainability.
Taco Cabana, a San Antonio-based restaurant chain, continues to serve the community with its Tex-Mex cuisine, maintaining its presence as a local dining option and contributing to the city’s vibrant food culture.
These initiatives reflect the collective spirit of San Antonio’s businesses and organizations, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting and uplifting the community during the Thanksgiving season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Purple Pig BBQ’s Thanksgiving Give-Back event?
The Purple Pig BBQ is hosting its fifth annual Thanksgiving Give-Back event in Schertz, aiming to provide free meals to the community. Over 700 meals were distributed in previous years, with expectations to surpass that number this year.
How can I participate in Operation Turkey San Antonio?
Operation Turkey San Antonio is organizing a Thanksgiving morning event to prepare, package, and deliver 3,000 meals to those in need across the city. Volunteers can engage in food preparation, meal packaging, and delivery.
Where can I donate frozen turkeys for the San Antonio Food Bank?
The San Antonio Food Bank is accepting frozen turkey donations at any H-E-B Plus store in the San Antonio area between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Nonperishable food items and cash donations are also welcomed.
What is CPS Energy’s GrillsGiving event?
CPS Energy is hosting its annual GrillsGiving event on November 15, 2025, at Hangar 9 at Brooks. The event celebrates barbecue, music, and community, raising funds for the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) to support local families in need of utility bill assistance.
How can I get involved with the San Antonio Area Foundation’s “Gifts that Give Back” initiative?
The San Antonio Area Foundation’s “Gifts that Give Back” holiday giving guide connects donors with 28 nonprofits transforming the community. Each nonprofit aims to meet a $3,000 goal to carry its mission forward into the new year, offering various opportunities for community involvement and support.
What is Tango Charities’ “Feed The City” event?
Tango Charities is organizing its largest “Feed The City” event, where volunteers will prepare and distribute 250,000 meals to communities across the country. The initiative emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing hunger and supporting those in need.
How can I support Centro San Antonio during the holidays?
Centro San Antonio encourages residents to support the season by donating cold-weather items, canned goods, volunteering, sponsoring, or attending charitable events. The organization collaborates with various local entities to promote health, safety, welfare, and education, fostering a strong sense of community during the holidays.
What is the mission of the Woman’s Club of San Antonio?
The Woman’s Club of San Antonio, established in 1898, partners with businesses, local government, and other civic organizations to promote community welfare. The club’s longstanding commitment to education, health, and cultural programs underscores its dedication to enhancing the quality of life in San Antonio.
What does Solar San Antonio do?
Solar San Antonio is dedicated to providing information and resources for renewable and sustainable energy applications, helping homeowners decrease energy costs and explore alternative energy options. The organization’s efforts contribute to the community’s overall well-being and environmental sustainability.
What is Taco Cabana’s role in the San Antonio community?
Taco Cabana, a San Antonio-based restaurant chain, continues to serve the community with its Tex-Mex cuisine, maintaining its presence as a local dining option and contributing to the city’s vibrant food culture.
Key Features of San Antonio’s Thanksgiving Community Initiatives
| Initiative | Description | Location | Participation Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Purple Pig BBQ’s Thanksgiving Give-Back | Provides free meals to the community, aiming to surpass 700 meals this year. | Schertz, Texas | Open to all community members; no registration required. |
| Operation Turkey San Antonio | Prepares, packages, and delivers 3,000 meals to those in need on Thanksgiving morning. | San Antonio, Texas | Volunteers can participate in food preparation, meal packaging, and delivery; registration required. |
| The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner | Provides a warm meal, live entertainment, and fellowship to approximately 25,000 people. | San Antonio, Texas | No registration required; open to anyone in need. |
| The San Antonio Food Bank | Accepting turkey donations to support families in need. | San Antonio, Texas | Turkeys can be dropped off at H-E-B Plus stores. |
| CPS Energy’s GrillsGiving | A raise funds for utility assistance through community barbecue event. | Brooks, Texas | Open to the public; donations appreciated. |
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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