Free Community Christmas Lunches and Dinners in Alabama Near Our Offices

At Bond & Botes, we know that Christmas is supposed to be a wonderful time for family members to come together, spend quality time with one another, and reflect on the long year that’s coming to an end. Unfortunately, not everyone can take part in these festivities. With spending quality time with family comes exchanging gifts (which can be expensive) and cooking a large meal (which can be just as expensive as the gifts). If you fall into this category, you are not alone. Thankfully, churches and other local organizations realize the financial struggles and hardships that can come with Christmas.

If you are in a financially compromising situation, contact one of the organizations below and ask about programs which are available this Christmas.

Across Alabama

Salvation Army: Angel Tree Program

Families receive gifts in the form of gift cards, grocery store vouchers, toys, games, books, clothing, and shoes. In addition, they offer free holiday dinner boxes filled with turkey or ham and all the traditional holiday fixings and hot holiday dinners at their soup kitchen.

Bessemer

Salvation Army Bessemer Corps

In addition to offering groceries and perishable items to Jefferson County Alabama families, this branch can help people apply for government assistance and various social services, including WIC vouchers or free lunches for a student. They also arrange other case management and counseling. Free holiday meals and maybe gifts are provided too, in particular around Christmas. Seniors and children in Jefferson County can benefit from the holiday programs.

Address: 525 13th Street, Bessemer, Alabama 35020

Phone: (205) 425-4303

Birmingham

Community Kitchens at St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Community Kitchens serves a lunch meal 365 days a year from 2 locations in Birmingham. There are no charges, criteria or requirements to be served. Meals are served weekdays and Saturdays at noon in the church parish hall. Sunday sack lunches are served from the UAB parking lot on 11th Avenue South and 11th Place.

Address: 1024 South 12th Street, Birmingham AL 35205

Phone: (205) 251-3569

Community Kitchens at Grace Episcopal Church

Community Kitchens serves a lunch meal 365 days a year from 2 locations in Birmingham. There are no charges, criteria or requirements to be served. Meals are served daily at 12:45 pm in the church parish hall.

Address: 5712 1st Ave North, Birmingham AL 35212

Phone: (205) 251-3569

Christian Service Mission

Emergency boxes of groceries are available in Jefferson County. Christian Service Mission also has Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and volunteers will deliver food to the homebound.

Address: 3600 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222

Phone: (205) 252-9906

Jimmy Hale Missions

Downtown Jimmie Hale Mission, Inc. is a Christian-based, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which includes a homeless shelter for men, a shelter for women and children, after-school Bible clubs, recovery programs, learning centers, and thrift stores. This charity is often misspelled Jimmy Hale Mission.

205-323-5878

Gadsden

Gadsden Center of Concern

The Gadsden Center of Concern (formerly Catholic Center of Concern) is a faith-based charity that helps families living in poverty. Food, holiday assistance, clothing, and other support is arranged.

Address: 612 Chestnut Street, Gadsden, Alabama 35901

Phone: (256) 546-0028

Etowah Baptist Missions Center

Applications are accepted for Thanksgiving meal baskets. There are also Christmas toys, hot meals, and more for children and senior citizens.

Address: 215-221 Wall Street, Gadsden, Alabama 35901

Phone: (256) 546-2980

The Salvation Army branch in Gadsden

Meals and gifts can be provided around their respective times of the year. The Salvation Army in Alabama really provides these holiday programs for kids, as they do not want children to go without during the holidays. Help around the holidays can come from programs such as Angel tree, warm holiday meals or emergency food boxes, and much more. Even items such as free winter coats may be offered, too.

Address: 114 - 120 N. 11th St., Gadsden, AL 35901

Phone: (256) 546-4673

Huntsville

Christmas Charities Year Round

Christmas Charities Year Round provides toys, gifts and food for the holidays to less fortunate children and families in the community. They also provide gifts and food to elderly and disabled individuals.

Address: 2840 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL 35816

Phone: 256-837-2373

Downtown Rescue Mission

The Downtown Rescue mission provides daily bags of food, free articles of clothing, turkey boxes comprised of an entire Thanksgiving meal, and toy bags for Christmas.

Address: 1400 Evangel Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35816

Phone: 256-536-2441

Montgomery

Montgomery Area Food Bank & WellsFargo

Now through January 31, the Montgomery Area Food Bank is teaming up with WellsFargo to help more families share holiday meals this season.

Address: Any local branch near you

Phone: 334-263-3784

Scottsboro

12 Bushel’s Food (The Well Family Worship Center)

Food is distributed on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30. Families receive several bags of groceries containing bakery goods, canned and boxed food, meat, cheese, fresh produce, and other commodities. There is also assistance during the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays.

Address: 3515 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35769

Phone: 256-294-4225

Shoals Area Meal Programs

First Presbyterian Church of Florence

224 E Mobile Street, Florence, AL 35630

• Friday and Saturday from 12:00pm-1:00pm

Trinity Episcopal Church

210 N Pine Street, Florence, AL 35630

• Monday nights

First Presbyterian Church

130 E 5th Street, Sheffield, AL 35660

• Tuesday nights

Broadway Fellowship

3215 Huntsville Road, Florence, AL 35630

• Monday nights