🍁 Happy Thanksgiving, neighbors! Whether your table is big or small, we’re grateful you’re here. Grab a slice of pie and look around. 🥧
🍂 One home for everything. Some Thanksgiving-time events already live on What’s Happening or Holiday Giving, so those cards link straight there. Dates can change with the weather, so please check each official link before you head out. – Kathy
💙 Holidays can be hard. Here for you, neighbor. Need food or help with bills? Dial 2-1-1, free, any time.
🍽️ Free Thanksgiving meals
Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving Meal
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1000 C Ave NW, Cedar Rapids. Free sit-down meal, no registration.
🚗 Thanksgiving meal delivered to neighbors 60+
Aging Services delivers a free Thanksgiving meal to adults 60 and older in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha. Call to reserve by Thursday, Nov. 19.
Call: 319-398-3647 (1725 O Ave NW, Cedar Rapids)
🥫 Food pantries near you
HACAP’s Food Reservoir works with 150+ pantries and meal sites around the area, and pantries have no eligibility rules. Use “Find a Food Pantry” or call 319-393-7811.
Source: HACAP
🏃 Turkey trots & fun runs
🦃 Cedar Rapids Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m., downtown Cedar Rapids. 5K run/walk, kids’ fun run and a free Kids Dash.
🥫 Food drives, giving & volunteering
🚲 Cranksgiving Cedar Rapids (food drive by bike)
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. Check-in 11 a.m. at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE; ride rolls out at noon. Riders buy items from a grocery list at stores around town and deliver them to the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Bring a helmet, lights, a lock and $20 to $40 for groceries. Free to join; sign-up encouraged, day-of welcome.
Source: Goldfinch Cyclery event page on Eventbrite
Linn Community Food Bank
Drop off food or cash donations Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 8:30 to 10 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m., at 310 5th St SE, Cedar Rapids (lower level). Want to host a food drive at work or school? Email [email protected]. Phone 319-364-3543.
Source: linncommunityfoodbank.org
🎁 More ways to give this season
Mission of Hope meal sponsors, Willis Dady’s holiday wish list, Salvation Army volunteer shifts, toy drives and more.
🛍️ Long-weekend fun & shopping small
🛍️ Shop Small Weekend, Czech Village & NewBo
Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 29.
🛍️ Small Business Saturday in Uptown Marion
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
🌽 Made in Iowa Holiday Market
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28 and 29, Hawkeye Downs Expo Center.
🗑️ Trash, buses & closures
Cedar Rapids trash & buses
Trash: no garbage, recycling or yard waste pickup Thursday, Nov. 26; pickups run one day late the rest of the week. Carts out by 7 a.m. Questions: 319-286-5897.
Buses: no service Thanksgiving Day; reduced service Friday, Nov. 27 (no peak buses).
Collection schedule → · Bus holidays →
Source: City of Cedar Rapids
Marion trash
Thursday’s pickup moves to Friday, Nov. 27, and Friday’s moves to Saturday, Nov. 28. Public Works: 319-377-6367.
Source: City of Marion
Hiawatha trash
Hiawatha homes use private haulers, so call your hauler for the holiday schedule. City Hall: 319-393-1515.
Source: City of Hiawatha
Landfill & compost site
Site 1 landfill (1954 County Home Rd, Marion) and Site 2 compost (2250 A St SW) are closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and open Friday, Nov. 27 (main office closed).
Source: Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency
Linn County offices & LIFTS
County offices are closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27 (law enforcement and emergency services keep working). LIFTS runs shortened routes with no rural service on Friday, Nov. 27. Main line: 319-892-5000.
Source: Linn County
📚 Libraries
Cedar Rapids Public Library (Downtown and Ladd): closed Nov. 26 and 27.
Marion Public Library and bookmobile: close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25; closed Nov. 26 and 27; back Saturday, Nov. 28, at 9 a.m.
CR Library hours → · Marion Library calendar →
Source: Cedar Rapids and Marion public libraries
🦃 Turkey tips & kitchen safety
❄️ How long to thaw that turkey?
In the fridge, allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds (a 20-pound bird needs 4 to 5 days!). In a hurry? Cold water, about 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook to 165°F in the thigh, wing and breast, in an oven no lower than 325°F. Leftovers go in the fridge within 2 hours and keep 3 to 4 days.
Questions? USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline: 1-888-674-6854.
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
🔥 Kitchen fire safety
Keep a 3-foot kid-free zone around the stove. Grease fire? Slide a lid on and turn off the burner. Never use water. Oven fire? Keep the door closed and turn off the heat.
Source: Cedar Rapids Fire Department
🌽 Fun fact
Iowa ranks about 7th in the nation for turkeys, raising around 12 million a year on roughly 130 turkey farms. Gobble gobble!
Source: Iowa Turkey Federation
🚗 Traveling over the river and through the woods?
Check road conditions before you go, especially if it snows.
Source: Iowa DOT