Where to get a hot, free meal on Thanksgiving in the Rockford area

According to U.S. Census data, nearly 22% of Rockford's residents live below the poverty line and one in four individuals struggle with food insecurity.

Several organizations in Rockford are working to make sure hunger is not an issue on Thanksgiving as they will be providing free Thanksgiving meals the day before and the day of the holiday.

Here's a list of places where free meals will be served or will be boxed or bagged up for pickup: 

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Rockford

Rockford Rescue Mission: A traditional turkey dinner will be served at the Mission's annual Thanksgiving banquet at noon Wednesday, 715 W. State St. The mission expects to feed hundreds of people during the banquet.

Court Street United Methodist Church: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, the church will have its annual dinner offering turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and more.

The church also be offering carryout meals featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables and pies. It'll be the 41st time the church is hosting its Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Miss Carly's: The community center will offer turkey sandwiches as part of a special sack lunch on Thursday throughout the entire day at 1125 Fifth Ave. Coats and blankets also will be available.

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Freeport

Father's House Church: The church, 302 W. Stephenson St., will be hosting a full Thanksgiving Day dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The meal will offer turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and more. Winter hats, coats and gloves will also be available to those in need.

Salvation Army: The Freeport Salvation Army will not be hosting a dinner for Thanksgiving but will be delivering meals to roughly 440 families on Thanksgiving Day. The Salvation Army said it's too late to sign up for a meal to be delivered this year.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen