Goodwill's 69th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair returns November 25 with 300+ volunteers, career assistance and a call for community support this winter

BALTIMORE, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Thanksgiving dinner can fill an immediate need. A winter coat, help preparing a resume, or a connection to job training can make a difference long after the table is cleared.

On Wednesday, November 25, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake will bring those needs together at its 69th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair. More than 2,000 Baltimore-area residents are expected at the free gathering at the Baltimore Convention Center, Halls A & B, 1 West Pratt Street. Dinner will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with the resource fair running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Goodwill will have winter coats and warm clothing available for guests, and community support can help it reach even more neighbors. With colder weather approaching, Goodwill is inviting Baltimore-area residents to donate winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for individuals and families in need. Financial gifts and donations to Goodwill stores and donation centers also help fund the job training, education and career services Goodwill provides throughout the year.

More than 300 volunteers will join Goodwill staff to serve a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The gathering welcomes people facing barriers to employment and other challenges who might otherwise go without a holiday celebration.

The resource fair will connect guests with opportunities for long-term stability and economic independence, including resume assistance, Goodwill's job training and placement services, and community organizations offering employment support and other essential resources.

"For someone trying to stretch a paycheck or find work, the needs don't pause because it's Thanksgiving," says Lisa Rusyniak, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake. "We want every guest to enjoy a warm meal and feel welcome. But we also want them to leave with something that can make a difference beyond the holiday — whether that's a winter coat, help preparing a resume or a connection that could lead to a job."

How to Attend

• Individuals can find free admission tickets at Goodwillches.org/Thanksgiving.
• Community organizations seeking tickets to distribute can complete Goodwill's Thanksgiving tickets form.

How to Help

• Donate winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves to help neighbors stay warm this winter, or give to support year-round job training, education and career services. https://goodwillches.org/donate/make-a-financial-donation/
• For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Balog at jbalog@goodwillches.org.
• Community organizations interested in participating in the resource fair can complete the resource fair registration form.

For event details, tickets, and participation opportunities, visit Goodwillches.org/Thanksgiving.

About Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake

Founded in 1919, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake is a nonprofit social enterprise that helps people overcome barriers to employment through job training, career services, education, and supportive services. Revenue generated through Goodwill's retail stores and donation centers funds workforce development programs, industry-recognized credential training, and the Baltimore Excel Center, a tuition-free adult high school that helps adults earn their diplomas while preparing for careers. Through the power of work, Goodwill creates opportunities for individuals, strengthens communities, and diverts millions of pounds of reusable goods from local landfills each year.

Media Contact:

Jen Reed
On The Marc Media
(508) 944-4884
jreed@onthemarcmedia.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goodwill-industries-of-the-chesapeake-offers-thanksgiving-meals-winter-clothing-and-job-resources-for-more-than-2-000-baltimoreans-302929475.html

SOURCE Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake