Holiday Meals
Holiday Meals have been hard to plan for in 2025 like we normally do.
We did not know:
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How big the need would be because of the government shutdown and the SNAP (food stamp) pause
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How long these problems would last
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What that would mean for our funding
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When/How the building addition construction work would affect our storage space
Because of this, we were not able to use our normal online ordering for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in 2025.
But good news:
We are still offering the same kinds of Holiday Meal items as before. We are just giving them out in a different way.
We are still offering:
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Nonperishable foods (like canned and boxed items)
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Perishable foods (like fresh fruits and vegetables and a small amount of dairy, such as butter)
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One turkey or one ham
Below is how to get each of these.
1. Nonperishable foods – Holiday Nook
Our Holiday Nook opened on November 7.
Here you can pick items like:
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Cranberry sauce
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Beans
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Stuffing
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Masa
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And other holiday foods
The number of items you get is based on your family size, the same as during the rest of the year.
***NOTE: We are sorry, but we cannot give extra food because you are hosting more people than usual for Thanksgiving.
If you need a full shop and a Holiday Meal
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Please fill out an application and make an appointment to shop, like normal.
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At that visit, you can also shop in the Holiday Nook before you leave.
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These appointments fill up fast, so please get your application in right away.
If you only need a Holiday Meal (no full shop)
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Come to the Pantry Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., through 11/26.
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No appointment is needed.
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If you have been to us sometime in the last year, you do not need to fill out a new application.
2. Turkey or ham
If you come to the Pantry through 11/26, we will offer you one turkey or one ham.
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If we are out of the one you want, we will give you a gift card to buy one.
3. Fresh produce and other perishable foods
If you are doing a full shop between now and 11/26:
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You will get fresh produce as part of your regular shop.
If you only need a Holiday Meal, or you already did a full shop in November:
We will have pop-up fresh produce markets:
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Tuesday, 11/25, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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Wednesday, 11/26, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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Location: Behind our building, under a tent
You do not need an application or an appointment.
Very important for pop-up markets:
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Please do NOT use our regular parking lot or front door. We need those for normal Pantry work.
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Instead, please park at the Lillian Street Beach Access.
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Then walk over to the tent behind our building to shop.
If you have a handicapped placard:
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You may drive down Lindbergh Avenue toward our tent, and we will help you.
If you do not have a handicapped placard:
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You will be sent back to park at the Lillian Street Beach Access.
Extra perishable foods before we close
We try very hard not to waste any food that can spoil.
Right before we close, we will ask people to help “clean us out” of perishable foods.
Because we often add extra service hours during busy times, it is hard to know the exact time these foods will be ready.
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On 11/26, we will send a text message with the time.
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Right now, our best guess is around 5:00 p.m.
Free Christmas trees
Because of generous donors, we will have a limited number of fresh Christmas trees and stands for free.
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Date: Friday, 11/28
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Time: 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
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First come, first served.
To get a tree:
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You must have already been seen by the Pantry sometime in 2025, or
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You must complete an application for food assistance before 11/26.
Our parking lot can only hold about 10 cars at a time.
Please do NOT block the Bypass while waiting.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please text Elisabeth at 202-352-2107.
