Distribution of free turkeys for Thanksgiving by not-for-profit organizations and others is a tradition in Lake County. Some of those handing out turkeys are doing it differently this year.

Organizations like Cool Ministries Food Pantry will provide complete Thanksgiving meals to people who come to their location in Waukegan on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2  p.m. through Wednesday.

Others like the Mano a Mano Family Resource Center — its turkey distribution comes in December for Christmas — will be delivering half of the turkeys to families afraid to leave their homes and the rest from a central location.

“ICE is still in the area,” Dulce Ortiz, Mano a Mano’s executive director, said, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. “Some community members are afraid to come out of the house, so we’re going to deliver 250 by coming to their homes.”

Lake County residents seeking a turkey or more for their Thanksgiving meal Thursday can take advantage of several programs handing them out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Waukegan area.

Mindy Lindholm, the executive director of Cool Ministries in Waukegan, said it has already started handing out a box to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, as well as food for the rest of the weekend, at its location on Glen Flora Avenue in Waukegan.

With a box big enough to feed eight people, she said the Thanksgiving package contains turkey, stuffing, corn, a mix for rolls, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and a dessert.

“They tell us the family size and we give them their holiday meal and four days’ worth of food as well,” Lindholm said. “We’re here for anyone who lives in Lake County.”

Lindholm said people continue to come to the food pantry despite the fear she senses in the area. They average approximately 7,000 patrons a month.

“Things have been unsettling for a lot of people,” she said. “They feel uncertain with what is happening.”

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said in an email he is “grateful” for the local restaurants and community organizations that are offering free Thanksgiving meals to members of the community at a time when there is widespread stress.

“Their generosity reminds us what the holiday season is all about,” he said. “It has been a difficult year for so many, so it is more important now than ever for us to come together to support one another. That is the Waukegan way.”

Hamaas Ibrahim, the executive director of the Urban Muslim Minority Alliance (UMMA), said the organization will be handing out 225 Halal turkeys — appropriate for people who observe Muslim dietary rules — and 75 turkey breasts.

Ibrahim said meat will be distributed between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday at UMMA’s Harvest Market at the corner of 10th Street and McAlister Avenue in Waukegan. UMMA will also be giving away 100 turkeys from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Royal Furniture in Park City.

Clyde McLemore, the executive director of Black Lives Matter’s Lake County Chapter, said his organization is providing turkeys to families who are part of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or are on Medicaid.

McLemore said he is taking precautions to make sure recipients of the turkeys do not encounter ICE agents. To receive the meal of turkey, corn, sweet potatoes and dressing, they must register online on the Black Lives Matter Lake County Facebook page.

State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, traditionally gives out a turkey and a ham for Thanksgiving meals. She provided 100 to people on Nov. 14 this year.

With a lot of organizations providing Thanksgiving turkeys, Ortiz said Mano a Mano is doing its distribution between 4 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Round Lake Sports Center to provide Christmas dinners for people.

Mano a Mano is partnering with state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, Lake County Board member Esiah Campos and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lakes. Half will be given out at the sports center, and the other half will be delivered to homes.

After more than two months of intensive DHS immigration enforcement activity in the area, Ortiz said she hopes the holidays will provide a respite for people.

“The community has been through a lot,” she said. “The holidays are a time of fellowship with community members, and it is needed now more than ever.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/lake-county-turkey-giveaways/