It’s the holiday season and many families are buying all the ingredients needed to prepare traditional Christmas dinners next week. While this is a time-honored tradition for many, it can become a hardship for families facing food insecurity in Arizona.
To help counter this, several groups and community organizations in metro Phoenix are providing free meals, including complete take-home dinner kits, starting this weekend and days ahead of Christmas.
Here are some events happening in metro Phoenix.
Miltecayotl: Farm Worker Food Distribution
When: Friday, Dec. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 7603 N. Alsup Rd., Litchfield Park.
What‘s happening: Tonatierra, a local organization that supports Indigenous-first initiatives, will be hosting a holiday food distribution for local farmworkers where at least 200 families will get a tamale-making kit, complete with masa, corn husks, chiles, and chicken or beef.
For more information, visit www.tonatierra.org/.
Tempe Community Action Agency
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 2146 Apache Blvd., Tempe.
What‘s happening: Tempe residents can head to the Tempe Community Action Agency food pantry to obtain meals for free ahead of the holiday. The pantry will close from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.
For more information, visit https://tempeaction.org/.
Chavez Boxing Christmas Eve Dinner/Toy Drive
When: Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Chavez Boxing Gym, 2952 N. 16th St., Phoenix.
What’s happening: This free event at a boxing gym in Central Phoenix will include a free holiday dinner and celebration for families in need.
Guests do not have to be members of the boxing gym, nor are they required to RSVP. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1092098102397194/.
The Salvation Army Christmas Dinner event
When: Wednesday, Dec. 25. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Food service between 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Convention Center South Building, 386 E. Washington St., Phoenix.
What’s happening: In addition to a free dinner, this free event will provide families with free haircuts, nail service, family photos and photos with Santa, live music, a children’s craft corner, beverages, pet food and more.
Leashed service animals will be allowed inside the venue. Those with regular pets on a leash will be asked to sit in an outdoor area. For more information, visit https://www.salvationarmyphoenix.org/annual-christmas-dinner.
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul
When: Wednesday, Dec. 25. Hours vary.
Where: Phoenix, Mesa, and El Mirage St. Vincent De Paul charity dining rooms.
What’s happening: The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is, according to its website, preparing to serve more than 7,000 warm meals at three of their charity dining rooms.
Similar to Thanksgiving, the Phoenix Dining Room will host the Champions for Homeless Thanksgiving event with former NFL player Nick Lowery, other NFL players and live music. For more information, visit www.stvincentdepaul.net/news/christmas.
Reach La Voz reporter David Ulloa Jr. at david.ulloa@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Where to find free Christmas dinners in metro Phoenix