Thanksgiving Day 2024 is in 1 week, 6 days Request a Meal
Thanksgiving Day 2024 is in 1 week, 6 days Request a Meal

FAQs

I want to volunteer. What do I need to do first?

Please click on Volunteer to register and receive our informational emails. We periodically send emails with volunteer opportunities and events. These email will increase in frequency as we get closer to Thanksgiving Day.

Indemnify Operation Turkey and its Partners

I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE OPERATION TURKEY OR P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO, INC., SMITH RECREATION CENTER, FEEDING THE VALLEY FOOD BANK, THIRD BASE, GUERO’S TACO BAR, HEB CENTER AT CEDAR PARK, 50 YARD LINE STEAKHOUSE, SUMO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, TEXAS ROADHOUSE THE OWNERS OF THE RESTAURANTS USED BY THE PARTICIPANT, AS WELL AS ANY MANAGERS, PROMOTERS, LESSEES OF PREMISES USED TO CONDUCT OPERATION TURKEY EVENTS OR PROGRAMS, PREMISES AND EVENT STAFF, AND OTHERS WHO GIVE ASSISTANCE, DIRECTIONS OR INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES REGARDING OPERATION TURKEY OR EVENTS HELD AT ANY SUCH RESTAURANT AND EACH OF THEM, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES, ALL FOR THE PURPOSE HEREIN REFERRED TO AS “RELEASEES”, FROM ALL LIABILITY TO THE UNDERSIGNED, MY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ASSIGNS, EXECUTORS, HEIRS AND NEXT TO KIN FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CONTROVERSIES, CAUSES OF ACTIONS, OR REMEDIES, WHETHER AT COMMON LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, WHICH I MAY CLAIM TO HAVE OR MAY IN THE FUTURE OWN OR HOLD FOR ANY TYPE OF INJURY, DAMAGE OR LOSS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PERSONAL OR BODILY INJURIES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, WRONGFUL DEATH, ACTUAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM FOR ECONOMIC LOSS, OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE ACTIVITIES OF OPERATION TURKEY, WHETHER CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED BY THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE AND OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES.

Do you sell our contact information?

We do not sell your contact information. You will only receive updates regarding Operation Turkey, Operation Turkey events, and volunteer opportunities.

I registered as a volunteer but I have not received a confirmation email. Can I still volunteer?

Please check your SPAM folder if you do not receive the confirmation email within 30 minutes of registering. If you do not get the confirmation email, re-register and be sure to enter information for ALL boxes. You can still volunteer, however, you may miss out on important details if you’re not registered.

Do I have to register my entire family to volunteer?

We ask that all volunteers 16 years of age and older register individually.

How can I learn more about what to expect on Thanksgiving Day?

We offer several orientations where you will have the opportunity to learn about our mission and volunteer opportunities. Kids are welcome at the orientation.

Are food and drinks available for purchase at the orientation?

Orientations are typically an hour long and food/drinks are not always available. Please check the schedule for information regarding availability.

Where can I get an Operation Turkey t-shirt?

T-shirts are available at the orientations and the Turkey Tailgate for $20.00.

Can I still volunteer if I didn’t purchase a t-shirt?

Of course!

Does it matter which location I volunteer at?

No. Simply register for the location that’s most convenient for you.

Can I bring my kids with me to volunteer Thanksgiving morning?

Yes. We will have a supervised kids table for the younger ones where they can decorate the clamshell containers used to distribute food. They can also walk through the line with a container to be filled with food. If you would like to be a driver they can help you deliver meals.

How long does Operation Turkey operate on Thanksgiving Day?

We volunteer from 8:00am – 12:00pm. Historically we finish well before noon so you can enjoy Thanksgiving Day with your family.

Do you accept volunteers Thanksgiving morning and can I bring a friend?

Absolutely!

I can only volunteer for a couple of hours Thanksgiving Day, is that OK?

Yes, any help is appreciated.

Can I sign up for a particular job?

You will have the opportunity to select your preferred volunteer station when you register. We want everyone to have the same opportunity to volunteer in the capacity they want, so we do not assign jobs prior to Thanksgiving Day. If you would like a more “hands on” job, get to the location you registered for as close to 8:00am as possible.

I am interested in being a driver Thanksgiving morning, what does that entail?

We will have a staging area for cars at each location. Once you get to the loading area, we will provide you with meals, care packages, clothing, and delivery instructions. We recommend that you bring a passenger with you who can distribute meals and donations to the homeless from the passenger side of the vehicle. If you do not have someone that can ride with you, we will pair you with a volunteer.

I want to help, but cannot volunteer on Thanksgiving. Is there anything else I can do?

Registered volunteers receive emails throughout the year with additional ways to volunteer. You can also donate items for care packages, clothing, drinks, and dinner rolls at the Turkey Tailgate. Monetary donations are always accepted to help with the purchase of food.

What is the money donated used for?

Operation Turkey is proud to say that after 16 years of volunteering, we still have zero paid employees…everyone is a volunteer! ALL money donated goes directly to purchasing food and supplies for Thanksgiving Day.

What is the Turkey Tailgate?

This is our volunteer party where we smoke turkeys for the Thanksgiving Day meals. We also accept donated items like a thawed turkey, clothing, and care packages. You can also purchase volunteer t-shirts.
We need volunteers available to help cook turkeys, distribute supplies and to collect and sort donations. We encourage all to stop by and hangout for a bit; see the schedule for your city under Locations. *Please note, not every city holds a Turkey Tailgate*

How can I nominate a family to receive a meal Thanksgiving Day?

Email meals@operationturkey.com. Please include the recipient’s name, address, phone number, and number of meals needed. A form will be available on the website at least a month before Thanksgiving Day.

I’m not able to attend the orientations can I still volunteer Thanksgiving morning?

If you are unable to attend orientation, simply show up Thanksgiving morning around 8:00am ready to help.

I have a group that wants to volunteer together, is that OK?

Yes, we encourage families, youth groups, companies, etc. to come out and volunteer together. We do ask that each person 16 years and older register individually as a volunteer with Operation Turkey. We cannot guarantee that you will all be able to work on a specific desired task, however, your group will certainly have the opportunity to work together as a team.

Is Operation Turkey religious or politically affiliated?

Operation Turkey values its community of volunteers and network of partnering organizations, including the charities, schools, associations, businesses, and faith-based organizations that participate in our organization. We are committed to creating a friendly environment where each individual is welcomed and respected.

We believe that no person should be excluded from volunteer participation on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, or for any other discriminatory reason. Accordingly, we will not accept volunteers of who engage in unlawful discriminatory practices.

Operation Turkey is nonpolitical and is not aligned with any political party, creed, organization, or movement.

Operation Turkey is not aligned with any religious belief. We invite faith-based organizations to participate in Operation Turkey so long as they meet our nonprofit partner eligibility criteria and fulfill a strictly charitable purpose.

What is Operation Turkey's tax ID?

Operation Turkey’s tax ID is 85-3468462.
Tax receipts are mailed in Q1 following the year of donation.

Can I view Operation Turkey governing documents and financial statements?

Yes, governing documents and financial statements are available upon request. Email requests to Christina Isaac at cisaac@operationturkey.com.

Our National Sponsors
Our National Sponsors