Many central Wisconsin residents will gather Nov. 27 to celebrate Thanksgiving with food and fun. People who may not be able to afford a full Thanksgiving meal for their family will find many local organizations willing to help fill a gap.
Here’s where you can find free Thanksgiving meals in the Wausau area. Please reach out to Erik Pfantz at [email protected] if your organization offers free Thanksgiving meals, and we will add it to this list.
First Presbyterian Church, 406 Grant St., Wausau
A free prepared Thanksgiving meal is available for both dine in and delivery from 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 27. Reservations for delivered meals must be made by Nov. 21 by calling or texting 715-571-8452 with the number of meals requested, spelling of first and last name, address (including apartment numbers), and a call-back phone number. Meals will be delivered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 27. Donations are also accepted. Visit the church’s website for more information, https://www.firstpreswausau.org/friends-thanksgiving-dinner-information-information.
Merrill Enrichment Center, 303 N. Sales St., Merrill
Reservations are required to receive a free prepared Thanksgiving meal for either carryout or delivery between 10 a.m. and noon Nov. 27. The Merrill Enrichment Center continues its more than 35-year tradition of partnering with a local church, St. John Lutheran Church in 2025, to provide a Thanksgiving meal. Donations to the church are appreciated. More information can be found in the Enrichment Center’s November newsletter on its website, ci.merrill.wi.us/enrichment-center.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, W2604 County Road P, Merrill
A Thanksgiving meal will be served at the church between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 27. Reservations for meal delivery to homes in the Merrill area within 8 miles of the church can be made before 5 p.m. Nov. 26 by calling 715-722-0033. More information can be found on the 211 Wisconsin listing for the event.
St. John Lutheran Church, 901 11th St., Mosinee
Thanksgiving meals will be available to be picked up via drive-through for anyone in need from 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 22. No reservations are required for this meal. Enter the parking lot from the Short Street entrance. More information can be found on the 211 Wisconsin listing for the event.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Free Thanksgiving meals in the Wausau area — who’s offering them
