Holiday Resources for Seniors in Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit

The inflation squeeze means this holiday season may be especially tough for many seniors in southeast Michigan and metro Detroit. Our Information and Assistance team has gathered a list of resources available for seniors during Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.

We have divided the information according to each of the six counties we serve: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw. Find your county to connect with resources in your community.

Remember that our Information and Assistance team is here to help as well. They’re available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800)-852-7795.  You can also download the full list of Holiday Assistance Programs for Seniors in the AgeWays Region 2023

Oakland County:

• Neighborhood House: 248-651-5836. Providing Thanksgiving & Christmas food baskets to registered clients.
• Troy People Concerned: 248-528-9199 or email tpctohelp@sbcglobal.net. Providing Thanksgiving & Christmas food baskets. Must be a Troy resident for at least 6 months, & complete an application verifying income & number of people in the household. Deadline is November 3, 2023. Assistance is provided on a first come first served basis.
• Oxford/Orion FISH Food Pantry: 248-628-3933. 1060 S. Lapeer, Oxford. Thanksgiving food assistance.
• Salvation Army: Applications must be filed by appointment at a corps community center according to the recipient’s zip code. Thanksgiving & Christmas Assistance: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/location-search/
  Call to register: Farmington Hills- 248-477-1153; Pontiac- 248-334- 2407; Royal Oak- 248-585-5600.
• Lake Orion Lions Club: 248-975-6378. Christmas baskets for Lake Orion residents in need.
• Open Door Outreach Center: 248-360-2930. Provides Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance to seniors and adults with disabilities who are current clients.
• The Philip House: 248-532-0023. Holiday Assistance Application will open on October 15 and the deadline is December 5, 2023. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/afb350a8/M9xtcs15UUmlc8Kqa1vWSQ?u=https://forms.gle/fikV7SjNuH4Uzahj8
  Free Thanksgiving Dinner will be delivered by 6PM on November 23. Please register by November 15,2023: Giving Thanks Event Registration (google.com)
• Forgotten Harvest: Turkeys are typically distributed through their regular pantry rotation. People can visit https://www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food to find pantries.
• Catholic Charities of SEM: 855-882-2736. Adopt a Family Program. Families must be nominated by a parish or a partner organization.
• The Baldwin Center: 248-332-6101. Provides a holiday food basket.
• Southfield Goodfellows: Christmas Program. https://www.cityofsouthfield.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/2021-goodfellows-application-.pdf Complete application and return to the Southfield Human Services Department, c/o Southfield Goodfellows 26000 Evergreen Rd. Southfield, MI 48076. Southfield and Lathrup Village residents only. Deadline is October 13 at 4PM.
• Farmington Area Goodfellows: Contact Teresa at the Farmington Hills Senior Division at 248-473-1826 or email tjergovich@fhgov.com. Provides Christmas assistance to Farmington and Farmington Hills residents aged 55 or older.
• White Lake Goodfellows: No Senior without a Christmas. Provides holiday assistance to seniors in White Lake. To register, beginning after Thanksgiving: Call the Clerk’s office at 248-698-3300, ext 7, and state that you would like Christmas help with the White Lake Goodfellows.
• Royal Oak Senior Center: 3500 Marais Avenue, Royal Oak. 248-246-3900.
  • Tim’s Kitchen: Hot Meals available for dine in or carry out for $5. Days/times will be advertised in the monthly newsletter.
• Center of Hope: 810-610-8167. Thanksgiving Baskets for residents in need in Holly, Fenton or Linden.
• Zelphia’s Community Kitchen: 21355 Meadowbrook, Novi. Thanksgiving food box including a turkey and sides. Registration will be posted on their website soon: https://www.zelphias.com
• Woodside Bible Church: Locations in Pontiac, Royal Oak and Farmington Hills. Thanksgiving box includes groceries for 6-8 people and a Meijer gift card to purchase a turkey. One box per family. Registration required. Sign up for a time slot to pick up on November 19, 2023 from 12:30PM- 3PM at: https://woodsidebible.org/thanksgiving-boxes/
• La Casa Amiga Legal Clinic and Community Programs: 76 Williams, Pontiac. 248-338-4250. Turkey dinner program.
• G’s Thankful Helping Hands: St. George Event Center, 43816 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Twp. Free Thanksgiving dinner on November 21, 2023 from 1PM-5PM. Please RSVP by November 15 by calling or texting 248-929-4184.
• Waterford Goodfellows: Email Waterfordgoodfellows@gmail.com with any questions. Christmas Basket available for pick up on December 16. Applications will be available from November 26-30, 2023. Must live within the Waterford School District or have a child attending Waterford schools.
• Friends of the Madison Heights Area Senior Citizens: Thanksgiving Dinner from John R Grill will be delivered on November 22. Please register by November 20 by calling: 248-
  495-5509 and leaving a message with name, address and phone number.
• Lakepoint Community Church: 1550 West Drahner Rd., Oxford. Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23, 2023 from 12PM-3PM.

Washtenaw County:

• Faith in Action: 734-475-3305. Provides Thanksgiving & Christmas assistance to households in the Chelsea & Dexter school districts. Income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Deadline to sign up for Thanksgiving is the end of October and for Christmas is October 27.
• Chelsea Hospital: Provides a hot meal at no cost on Thanksgiving & Christmas Day. Please call the Chelsea Senior Center to RSVP: 734-475-9242. The deadline to preorder meals is one week prior to each holiday.
• Washtenaw County Salvation Army: Angel Tree Sign Up for Washtenaw County older adults or families with children.Register by November 3, 2023 saangeltree.org.
• Saline Social Service: (734) 429 – 4570 or email grehder@salinesocialservice.com. Households in need must either live in the Saline area school district, have children attending Saline schools, or work in the city of Saline and have income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Deadlines for the programs are as follows:
  • Adopt a Family: November 2
  • Thanksgiving Meal Program: November 2
  • December Holiday Meals: November 30
  • Extra Holiday Toys: November 30 (For those who missed Adopt a Family)
• Food Gatherers Community Kitchen: 312 W. Huron, Ann Arbor. 734-761-2796. Check this link for additional meal updates for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s as they are posted. https://www.foodgatherers.org/find-help/holiday-meals/
• The Original Cottage Inn: 734-663-3379. 512 E. William St., Ann Arbor. Free Annual Thanksgiving Meal on 11/23/23 from 11AM-1PM. No registration required.
• Aid in Milan: 734-439-8420. Thanksgiving and Christmas programs are available for Milan Area School District residents and residents of the 48160 zip code, who have income at or below 150% of the poverty level.
• MDHHS–Washtenaw County: 734-481-2000. Provides holiday assistance to seniors age 65 or older who receive MDHHS benefits. Email MDHHS-WashtenawHoliday-Assistance@michigan.gov or at (734) 481-2014.
• Hope Clinic: 518 Harriet Street, Ypsilanti. Thanksgiving Baskets: Reservations are closed, but remaining baskets will be available on a first come, first served basis on Wednesday November 22, 2023 10AM-12:30PM. Christmas Bags will be given to individuals coming in for other services, such as the food pantry. (Bags include things like mugs, hot chocolate, candy canes, etc.)
• Ann Arbor Vineyard Church: 2275 Platt Road, Ann Arbor. Thanksgiving Day meal on November 24 from 10AM-2PM.
• Delonis Center: Free sit down Thanksgiving dinner on Nov 23 at 12:30PM at the
  following locations:
  • Ypsilanti Freighthouse: 100 Market Place, Ypsilanti.
  • Zion Lutheran Day Center: 1501 West Liberty Street, Ann Arbor.

Macomb County:

• Thomas Lutheran Church: 586-772-3370. 23801 Kelly Rd., Eastpointe. First come first served baskets. Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed on November 18, 2023 at 10AM; Christmas baskets will be distributed on December 23, 2023 at 10AM. (They will have approx. 80 baskets). No eligibility or deadline to apply.
• Salvation Army: Applications must be filed by appointment at a corps community center according to the recipient’s zip code. Christmas assistance: Provides a grocery gift card for seniors. https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/location-search/
  To register, please call:
  Mt. Clemens- 586-469-6712 Offers a Community Thanksgiving meal the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and an Annual Senior Christmas Party.
  Warren- 586-754-7400. Offers a Community Thanksgiving meal
• Samaritan House: 586-336-9956. Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Programs. Must live in their service area: Bruce Twp., Armada Twp., Washington Twp., Shelby Twp., Utica, or Macomb Twp. Clients will receive items to prepare sides (cranberry sauce, canned green beans, turkey gravy packets, brown sugar, pie crust mix, evaporated milk) and a $25 grocery card to purchase the meat of their choice. Please register by November 4.
• Forgotten Harvest: Turkeys will be distributed through their regular pantry rotation. People can visit https://www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food to find pantries.
• Catholic Charities of SEM: 855-882-2736. Adopt a Family Program. Families must be nominated by a parish or a partner organization.
• Roseville Goodfellows: 586-447-2215 10AM-4PM. Provides food baskets to Roseville seniors. Registration dates not available yet.
• Haven Place: 58575 Main Street, New Haven. Free Community Dinner on November 20 and December 16, 2023 5PM-6PM.
• Trinity Food Ministry: 45160 Van Dyke, Utica. 586-731-4490. Holiday food baskets include a frozen turkey or ham and nonperishable food items.
• Crosspointe Church: 17275 15 Mile, Clinton Township. Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 19 at 4PM.
• Lakepointe Church:
  • Fitzgerald Recreation Center: 4355 East 9 Mile, Warren. 586-991-1845. Thanksgiving baskets will be available on November 18,2023 10AM-1PM.
  • Total Sports: 40501 Production Drive, Harrison Twp. Thanksgiving baskets will be available on November 18,2023 10AM-1PM.
• Knights of Columbus Hall: 22040 Ryan Rd, Warren. 586-303-5479. Free Thanksgiving Meal available for dine in or pick up. 200 meals available on Thursday November 23 from 11:30AM-1:30PM.
• Romeo Masonic Hall: 231 Main, Romeo. Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23 from 12PM-3PM.
• Woodside Bible Church: Locations in Chesterfield and Romeo. Thanksgiving box includes groceries for 6-8 people and a Meijer gift card to purchase a turkey. One box per family. Registration required. Sign up for a time slot to pick up on November 19 from 12:30PM- 3PM at: https://woodsidebible.org/thanksgiving-boxes/
• Jillian’s Coney Island: 50800 Gratiot, Chesterfield.Free Thanksgiving breakfast to those in need on November 23, 2023 from 9AM-11AM:
• Living Faith Church: 21740 Ryan Rd., Warren. Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23, 2023 from 12PM-4PM.
• Trinity Lutheran Church: 35110 Division Rd., Richmond. Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23, 2023 from 2PM-5PM. Dine In or Carry Out.
• Bernadette’s Faith in Action: 20880 10 Mile Rd., St Clair Shores. Free Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 12PM-2PM. Limited spots, and must register
  at https://bfaithinaction.org/events/?fbclid=IwAR3KzOXft5cH9lzGNKBhcMBD69MldPI50uCIXIBzDBHHc9UbfK9tIHCaaF8
• Covenant Missionary Temple: 28491 Utica Rd, Roseville. Holiday food boxes will be distributed on November 21, 2023 from 2PM-4PM.

Livingston County:

• Livingston County Catholic Charities: 517-545-5944, ask for Mary Heymes. Senior Christmas Blessing project provides a Christmas Box including food, paper products, personal care items and a Christmas gift. Serves individuals aged 60 or older, with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Deadline is November 22, 2023.
• VETLIFE: 1420 Lawson Drive, Howell. Provides Thanksgiving Baskets to Veteran families Registration is required and coming soon. Check for updates: https://www.vetlifetoday.org/harvestforheroes
• Salvation Army: 3600 E. Grand River Ave, Howell. Thanksgiving & Christmas Sign Up days: November 15-16, 2023 from 10AM-7PM. Complete the Wish List https://s3.amazonaws.com/usc-cache.salvationarmy.org/0806c89b-fab0-4be2-972e-e13b6edeb28c_Wishlist+2019.pdf
• American Legion Post 141 3265 W. Grand River, Howell: 3265 W. Grand River, Howell. Offers a free meal on Christmas Day. Meal delivery available to homebound seniors. Please call 517-546-2543 for more information.
• Cornerstone Church: 9455 Hilton Road, Brighton. Drive Thru Thanksgiving Dinner on November 22, 2023 10AM-7PM. Reservations required by November 17, by calling 810-494-4059 or Thanksgiving Dinner To Go 2023 | Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church (ccbchurch.com)

Monroe County:

• Bedford Goodfellows: Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets are provided to Bedford residents only. Applications are available at the Bedford Township Library.
• Monroe Firefighter’s: Joseph Hall located at East Third Street/Kentucky Avenue. Annual Thanksgiving meal is provided on November 22^rd. Meal serving times are 4PM, 5PM, 6PM, 7PM. Drive up/Walk up only. Meals will contain turkey, ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, stuffing and dessert. Vehicles will line up on Second St facing Kentucky Avenue; Walk ups will line up on Third Street.
• Crossroads Community Church: 6960 Sylvania-Petersburg, Ottawa Lake. 734- 854-1301. Free holiday meal provided on November 18, 2023 via drive-thru, including turkey, fresh vegetables, and non-perishable sides to feed a family for Thanksgiving. First come first serve from 9AM-3PM. (Line typically starts forming at 7AM).
• Catholic Charities of SEM: 855-882-2736. Adopt a Family Program. Families must be nominated by a parish or a partner organization.
• Salvation Army: 734-241-0440. Provides food baskets and gifts for children (or gift certificates). Registration will be posted soon: Spirit of Christmas Program: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/monroe/brighten-the-holidays/
• Opportunity Center at the ALCC: 120 Eastchester St., Monroe. 734-241-4313. Free food box (including a turkey). Dates to be announced. Please show ID to confirm Monroe County residency.

St. Clair County:

• The Salvation Army: 200 Court Street, Port Huron. 810-984- 2679, ext 31. Free Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23, 2023 from 12PM-2PM.
• Community Wesleyan Church: 2415 Gratiot, Marysville. Thanksgiving Food Box, including a turkey, will be distributed on November 22 between 11AM-1PM.
• Down River Helping Hands: 310 South Parker, Marine City. 810-765-3848. Thanksgiving food basket will be available for pick up on November 18 from 1-3PM. Registration details to be posted soon.
• Marysville Fire Department: 1355 Delaware Avenue, Marysville. Annual Turkey and food giveaway. Details to be posted soon.
• Woodside Bible Church: Thanksgiving box includes groceries for 6-8 people and a Meijer gift card to purchase a turkey. One box per family. Registration required. Sign up for a time slot to pick up on November 19 from 12:30PM- 3PM at: https://woodsidebible.org/thanksgiving-boxes/
• Jillian’s Coney Island: 1669 Range Rd., Kimball. Free Thanksgiving breakfast to those in need on November 23, 2023 from 9AM-11AM.
• First Evangelical Lutheran Church: 1623 Washington Street, Algonac. Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 15, 2023 from 5PM-6:30PM.
• Blue Water Recovery Outreach Center: 617 10th Street, Port Huron. Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23, 2023 from 12PM-2PM

These agencies are intended as referrals only. We do NOT license, endorse or recommend any provider. Information maintained and distributed by AgeWays.