Two Dallas‑area charities are mobilizing community members to help families in need enjoy a safe, festive Thanksgiving. Dallas LIFE will host its annual Turkey Fry on November 23, while Change 1 will hold a Thanksgiving celebration for foster‑care youth on November 14.
How to get involved
Both organizations welcome individuals, churches, businesses and civic groups to volunteer, donate gifts or sponsor the events. Dallas LIFE asks companies that want recognition in event materials to commit to sponsorship by October 31. Change 1 also closes registration for its celebration on the same date.
Dallas LIFE Turkey Fry details
The Turkey Fry will take place at 1100 Cadiz St. in Dallas and is expected to draw more than 200 volunteers. Volunteers will help fry turkeys, serve meals and assist men, women and children enrolled in the nonprofit’s 10‑month Homeless No More residential recovery program. Additional help is needed in the kitchen, for game‑playing and for visiting senior residents. All adult volunteers must pass a background check, and each company may send up to four volunteers to the fryer.
Donations of $50, $100 or $250 will fund 20, 40 or 100 holiday meals respectively. Corporate sponsorships range from $2,500 to $25,000. Those interested can register or donate through Dallas LIFE’s website or contact the organization at [email protected] or 214‑421‑1380.
Change 1 Thanksgiving celebration
Change 1’s DFW Thanksgiving Celebration will be held Saturday, November 14, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center. The event welcomes youth currently in foster care ages 14 and older, as well as former foster youth ages 18 to 26.
Volunteers can sort donations, prepare gifts, greet guests and support the day’s activities. The nonprofit also plans a gift‑preparation day on Friday, November 13, and will provide shift details to registered volunteers. Change 1 is collecting items for Holiday Boxes, including blankets, games, journals and personal‑care supplies. Individuals, churches, businesses and other groups are encouraged to organize collections or contribute financially through the organization’s Thanksgiving page.
Why these efforts matter
Dallas continues to grapple with homelessness and public‑safety challenges, especially in the downtown core. The city has prioritized reducing encampments, addressing crime and restoring public spaces. In December 2025, the Dallas City Council approved up to $10 million in taxpayer funding for the second phase of its Street to Home initiative, which coordinates housing assistance, mental‑health services and law‑enforcement efforts. The council reaffirmed its commitment to the program in early 2026 and included continued support for homelessness response in the FY 2026‑27 budget.
Nonprofit programs like Dallas LIFE’s residential recovery initiative complement the city’s work by helping participants achieve long‑term stability and self‑sufficiency. Nearly nine in ten program graduates, according to Dallas LIFE, do not return to the shelter system.
How to help
Residents who wish to volunteer, donate meals or contribute to the holiday‑gift drives can sign up through the respective nonprofit websites. Companies interested in sponsorship or group participation should meet the October 31 deadline to ensure their contributions are recognized in event materials.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
