Noah Ullah & Jill Larsen | Spokane Valley Living
How can you give back this Thanksgiving near Spokane Valley? Food drives, volunteer shifts and turkey trots, from Spokane Best Home Living

How Can You Give Back This Thanksgiving Near Spokane Valley? 2026 Food Drives, Volunteer Shifts and Turkey Trots

By Jill Larsen · Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty · November 9, 2026

Quick answer: The simplest way to give back in Spokane Valley this Thanksgiving is to drop off food, diapers or hygiene items at Partners Inland Northwest (10814 E Broadway Ave, weekdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m.). You can also grab a food-drive barrel from UGM Motors on East Sprague, or sign up for a family-friendly fundraising shift at the Rosauers on East Sprague for KREM Cares Tom's Turkey Drive (Second Harvest says every $25 covers a family's Thanksgiving meal). On Thanksgiving morning, Nov 26, you can run or walk for a cause at the free BRRC Turkey Trot (donations go to Second Harvest), the McKenzie Mott Memorial Turkey Trot in Liberty Lake, or Huffin' for the Stuffin' in Riverfront Park. If your own family needs a meal, Tom's Turkey Drive sign-ups are already full, but free community dinners and pantries are listed below.

Hi, I'm Jill. Thanksgiving is about gathering around the table, and for a lot of us it's also when we start asking, "How can we help someone else have a good one too?" Noah and I wanted to make that question easy to answer for Spokane Valley families. So I checked the organizers' own pages for what's open right now, what's already full, and where an hour (or a bag of groceries) will do the most good. I've also included options if your household could use a little help this year. There's no shame in that. It's what neighbors are for.

1. Donate food and essentials right here in the Valley: Partners INW

Partners Inland Northwest runs a food bank, clothing bank, diaper bank and emergency assistance for Spokane Valley and the surrounding area. Drop off food, clothing, diapers, hygiene products and other essentials at 10814 E Broadway Ave, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. You can also give money online, or host a drive at your school, church or office and the Partners team will help you coordinate it. Questions: (509) 927-1153.

Partners INW is also the East County site for this year's KREM Cares Tom's Turkey Drive. On Nov 19 and 20, it plans to hand out 2,350 Thanksgiving turkey boxes with KREM and Second Harvest (Partners INW volunteer page). When I checked Monday morning, nearly every volunteer shift was on a waitlist, so if you'd like to help with the distribution, join a waitlist now or plan to drop off a donation instead.

2. Ring in the turkeys: a family-friendly Rosauers shift

Second Harvest is recruiting volunteers to raise money for Tom's Turkey Drive at the Rosauers at 10618 E Sprague Ave. The listing is marked family friendly and asks volunteers for "your loudest turkey gobble and warm clothes," because some shifts may be outside. It also says every $25 donated provides all the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey, for a local family. Shifts run Thu, Nov 12 and Fri, Nov 13 (3–6 p.m.), and again Nov 19–21. A few spots were still open Monday morning (Second Harvest volunteer sign-up).

Want to give without a shift? Second Harvest's Tom's Turkey Drive page lists its mailing address for gifts: 1234 E Front Ave, Spokane, WA 99202. Its warehouse packing shifts fill fast. Most were waitlisted this week, so check the volunteer site often.

3. Fill a food-drive barrel with UGM

Union Gospel Mission's Fall Food Drive is a great project for a classroom, team or office. You can pick up a barrel at UGM Motors, 7103 E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley (Mon–Fri, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; UGM suggests calling 509.327.HELP for the fastest service). Put it somewhere busy, fill it, and deliver it to the Men's Shelter Warehouse at 1224 E Trent Ave (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.). UGM's current kitchen wish list includes canned fruit, soup, chili and stew; rice and beans; pasta and sauce; tomato products; cooking oils; coffee and honey (UGM Daily Bulletin).

Prefer to serve? UGM's Men's Shelter welcomes families and groups of up to 10 to serve a meal, with training provided. For ongoing roles, attend a volunteer overview. In Spokane, overviews are held the first Tuesday (6 p.m.), second Thursday (6 p.m.) and third Wednesday (10 a.m.) of each month, which puts the next ones on Thu, Nov 12 and Wed, Nov 18 (UGM volunteer page).

Dreaming of a bigger table next Thanksgiving?

If hosting this year has you wishing for a dining room that fits everyone, or a smaller, easier place now that the kids are grown, Noah and I are happy to talk it through, with no pressure at all. Buyers can see if they qualify for down payment assistance or read The Secret to Buying a Home in Any Season. Homeowners can start with a free home value estimate.

4. Run (or walk) for a cause on Thanksgiving morning

  • BRRC Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, Thu, Nov 26, 9 a.m., Manito Park Duck Pond. It's free, family friendly and dog friendly (on leash). Registration is only for donations, and all donations go to Second Harvest. You can also bring cash or food on race morning. BRRC notes that a $5 donation buys $35 worth of food, and there's a prize drawing at 10 a.m. (RunSignup).
  • McKenzie Mott Memorial Turkey Trot, Thu, Nov 26, 9 a.m., Pavilion Park, 727 N Molter Rd, Liberty Lake. It's the race's 10th year, and proceeds fund a Safe Driving Scholarship for local high school seniors. Race-day check-in is 7:45–8:45 a.m., and packet pickup is Nov 24 and 25, 5:30–7 p.m., at Selkirk Middle School (race details · register).
  • Huffin' for the Stuffin', Thu, Nov 26, Riverfront Park (North Bank Park Shelter). The kids' fun run starts at 8:40 a.m., the 5K at 9:00 and the 10K at 9:10, and the charity partner is Active4Youth. Packet pickup on Nov 25 is right here in the Valley, at AutoNation Toyota Spokane Valley, 8600 E Sprague Ave, 1–6:30 p.m. (athlete guide).

5. If your family could use a Thanksgiving meal

Second Harvest's page shows that every Tom's Turkey Drive pickup is now full, including both Partners INW days. Second Harvest points families to its Food Near Me map for nearby pantries and Mobile Markets. You can also dial 2-1-1 for local help. Free hot meals that Cancer Care Northwest lists for this year (CCNW's 2026 list):

  • Wed, Nov 25, 5–6:30 p.m.: Union Gospel Mission Men's Shelter, 1224 E Trent Ave. It's open to everyone, including families, and high chairs are available. A to-go meal is offered for anyone who can't come inside (UGM).
  • Thu, Nov 26, noon–2 p.m.: The Salvation Army's free community Thanksgiving meal, 223 E Nora Ave.
  • Thu, Nov 26, 4:30–6 p.m.: Spokane Valley Assembly Church, 15618 E Broadway Ave. Per CCNW, the church also has a limited number of free meal boxes for pickup on Nov 23; call (509) 924-0466.
  • Wed, Nov 25: Silver Cafe meals for adults 60+ (see CCNW's list for locations).

Easy ways to include the kids

  • Let each child pick a few items from a pantry wish list (UGM and Partners INW post theirs) and help carry the bag to the drop-off.
  • Sign up as a family for the Rosauers shift. It's listed as family friendly, and a good turkey gobble is apparently part of the job.
  • Make the Thanksgiving morning walk the tradition. The BRRC trot is free, and every dollar you donate goes to Second Harvest.
  • Note age limits before you sign up. Second Harvest's warehouse shifts, for example, are for ages 14 and up.

This Week in Spokane Valley (Nov 9–15, 2026)

Most of these are in the Valley or a short drive away, and everyone in the county is welcome.

Community, city & Veterans Day

  • Tue, Nov 10, 6 p.m.: Spokane Valley City Council at City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave (City calendar · agendas & video)
  • Wed, Nov 11, 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony & Resource Fair at Numerica Veterans Arena. Afterward, Second Harvest holds a free drive-through food distribution for veterans and military families, while supplies last (Numerica Veterans Arena).
  • Wed, Nov 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free Looff Carrousel rides for active and former military members, plus one companion, at Riverfront Park (Riverfront Spokane)
  • Wed, Nov 11: Spokane County offices are closed for Veterans Day (Spokane County).
  • Thu, Nov 12, 6 p.m.: UGM volunteer overview, the first step toward ongoing volunteering (UGM)
  • Sun, Nov 15, 6–7:30 p.m.: UGM 75th Anniversary Praise Service, open to the public, at Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N Standard St (UGM)

Sports

  • Fri, Nov 13, 6:05 p.m.: Spokane Chiefs vs Everett Silvertips at Numerica Veterans Arena. It's Native American Heritage Night (Numerica).
  • Sat, Nov 14, 12:30 p.m.: Gonzaga men vs LSU at Numerica Veterans Arena; doors open at 11 a.m. (GoZags)
  • Gonzaga women on the road: at Grand Canyon (Fri, Nov 13, 5 p.m. PT) and at Stanford (Sun, Nov 15, 2 p.m.), both on 101.5 FM (GoZags)

Music, theater & movies

  • Mon, Nov 9, 7 p.m.: Ferris Wind Ensemble Veterans Concert, "Let Freedom Ring," at The Fox. It's free and open to the public (Fox Theater).
  • Thu, Nov 12: Young Artists Celebration Concert. The Spokane Symphony performs with youth orchestras and MusicFest Northwest winners at The Fox (Fox Theater).
  • Sat, Nov 14: "Clouds in My Coffee," the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon, with the Spokane Symphony at The Fox (Fox Theater)
  • Sat–Sun, Nov 14–15: "The Music Man" at the First Interstate Center for the Arts (Sat 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m.) (Broadway Spokane)
  • Sun, Nov 15, 7 p.m.: Three Days Grace, Alienation Tour, at Numerica Veterans Arena (Numerica)
  • Knitting Factory shows: Evan Honer (Mon, Nov 9), Nekrogoblikon (Tue, Nov 10), Joanne Shaw Taylor (Thu, Nov 12) and Foy Vance (Sat, Nov 14) (Knitting Factory)
  • Movies: Check Regal Spokane Valley showtimes (14760 E Indiana Ave). Regal lists "Ebenezer" starting Thu, Nov 12.

Markets & shopping

  • Fri–Sat, Nov 13–14: Fall Craft Fair at New Hope Christian Center, 1108 N Argonne Rd. It's a women's ministry fundraiser with local vendors, open Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m., and admission is free (event listing).
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Spokane Farmers' Market at 2nd & Chestnut in Coeur d'Alene Park, Browne's Addition. It accepts SNAP/EBT with Market Match, and the Holiday Market is the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Spokane Farmers' Market).
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Fall First Look Bridal Show at CenterPlace Regional Event Center (City calendar)

For Parents & Kids

  • Tue, Nov 10, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Family Play & Learn Storytime (ages 2–5) at Spokane Valley Library (SCLD)
  • Thu, Nov 12, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: STEAM-Themed Thursdays (ages 5+) at Spokane Valley Library. Kids 8 and under need an adult (SCLD).
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–noon: LEGO Free Play (ages 5+) at Argonne Library and Otis Orchards Library (Argonne · Otis Orchards)
  • Sun, Nov 15, 4 p.m.: Spokane Youth Symphony, "Rhythms Without Borders," at The Fox. It's the first concert of the youth symphony's 2026–27 season and a fun one for young musicians (Fox Theater).
  • Family movie: "The Cat in the Hat" is on Regal Spokane Valley's schedule (showtimes).
  • Broadway for families: Broadway Spokane recommends "The Music Man" for ages 6 and up.
  • Serve together: Second Harvest lists the Rosauers Tom's Turkey Drive shifts (Nov 12 and 13) as family friendly (see #2).

FAQ: Giving back this Thanksgiving near Spokane Valley

Where can I donate food in Spokane Valley for Thanksgiving?

Partners Inland Northwest, 10814 E Broadway Ave in Spokane Valley, accepts food, clothing, diapers and hygiene items Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Union Gospel Mission's Fall Food Drive lends out collection barrels from UGM Motors, 7103 E Sprague Ave.

Can families volunteer together for Thanksgiving in Spokane?

Yes. Second Harvest lists its Rosauers Tom's Turkey Drive fundraising shifts as family friendly, and Union Gospel Mission welcomes families and groups of up to 10 to serve a meal at its Men's Shelter. Some roles have age limits, such as 14 and up for Second Harvest warehouse shifts.

Is there a Thanksgiving turkey trot near Spokane Valley?

Yes. Liberty Lake's McKenzie Mott Memorial Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. on Nov 26 at Pavilion Park. In Spokane, the free BRRC Turkey Trot at Manito Park raises money for Second Harvest, and Huffin' for the Stuffin' runs through Riverfront Park.

Is Tom's Turkey Drive registration still open in 2026?

As of Nov 9, Second Harvest's page shows every Tom's Turkey Drive pickup location as full. Families can use Second Harvest's Food Near Me map, call 2-1-1, or attend a free community meal such as UGM's on Nov 25 or the Salvation Army's on Nov 26.

How much does it cost to provide a Thanksgiving meal for a local family?

Second Harvest says every $25 donated to KREM Cares Tom's Turkey Drive provides all the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey, for a local family.

Work with Noah & Jill

Noah Ullah and I work as a team at Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty. We focus on Spokane Valley and help buyers and sellers across Spokane County. When you're ready for your next chapter, here's where to start:

Buying

Selling

Talk with us: Book a free strategy call · (509) 903-5114 · team@spokanebesthomesearch.com

With gratitude, and happy Thanksgiving, neighbors,
Jill Larsen, Spokane Best Home Living

Volunteer openings, registration status, donation hours and event details come from the linked organizers as of Monday morning, Nov 9, 2026. Shifts fill and plans change, so please confirm with each organization before you go. Spokane Best Home Living isn't affiliated with these organizations.

Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty, a subsidiary of Phoenix Realty LLC

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