14th Annual
Hyde Park Community Thanksgiving Day Meal
Brought to you by Chicago Hyde Park Village, Augustana Lutheran Church, and our many Volunteers and Donors
Thursday, November 26, 2026
12:30 – 3:00
(Immediately following the Rockefeller Chapel Thanksgiving Day Service)
Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, 5500 S Woodlawn
Join your community of neighbors for a festive celebration. Be thankful together!
Advanced Registration Required
Online registration closes Sunday, November 22, 10pm
Registration by phone and email closes Friday, November 20, 4pm
Please Volunteer! — OPENING SOON!
Our many volunteers, partners, and donors make this Thanksgiving celebration possible and memorable. If you can help, please sign up for a task below. Please note: we also ask volunteers to register and pay if you plan to eat with us.
Register — $25 Suggested Fee or Pay What You Can
- Registration is required in advance; we regret we cannot accommodate unregistered walk-ins for this event.
- Online registration closes Sunday, November 22, 10pm
- Registration by phone and email closes Friday, November 20, 4pm
We strive to keep this Hyde Park Community Thanksgiving Day Meal as affordable as possible and honor a "pay what you can" rate for those who find the suggested fee to be a financial barrier to participation. To take advantage of the "pay what you can" offer, please register in advance and select to pay later during checkout. Then pay what you can at the door.
Payment in Advance:
We strongly recommend that you provide payment online upon registration. If you absolutely must pay at the door, we will accept cash and check only (payable to "Chicago Hyde Park Village" with "Thanksgiving" in the memo section). We will not accept credit card payment at the door and we cannot accommodate unregistered walk-ins.
Homebound? We will deliver a meal to you.
Please register & select the option for home delivery at checkout.
Know someone who needs a meal delivery? Please contact us!
Home delivery is limited to community members who are homebound and unable to attend in person.
The Community Celebration Features:
- Appetizer, Dessert, & Beverage Potluck: Bring a favorite appetizer, dessert, wine, or other beverage to share
- Buffet: A Traditional Thanksgiving buffer catered by Daniel's Test Kitchen and The Sit Down Café
- Music by Clara Takarabe & Anton Riehl
Please Volunteer! — OPENING SOON!
Our many volunteers, partners, and donors make this Thanksgiving celebration possible and memorable. If you can help, please sign up for a task below. Volunteers must also register! So we will have enough food for everyone and to help us maintain reasonable fees for this community event, we also ask volunteers to register and pay if you plan to eat with us. We are pleased to honor a "pay what you can" rate for those who find the suggested fee is a financial barrier to participation. If you choose to take advantage of the "pay what you can" offer, you must still register in advance and select to pay later during checkout. Then pay what you can at the door.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Wednesday afternoon transport (1 vehicle): Meet at the Sit Down Café at 4 p.m. on Wednesday 11/25/2026 to transport turkeys to Augustana.
Thanksgiving Day Volunteer Opportunities:
Morning Transport (1 person): Responsible for transporting suppliers from the SBA house to Augustana at 8 a.m.
Volunteer Administrator (2 persons): Help assign tasks and coordinate rotations to ensure smooth and fair volunteer participation.
Set-up (3-4 persons): Prepare the venue, arrange tables and decorations from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
Welcome Greeter (2–3 persons): Warmly welcome guests, guide them to deliver their potluck contribution, and create a friendly first impression.
Welcome Sign-In (2–3 persons): Assist guests with signing in, distribute name tags or materials, and provide event information as needed.
Turkey carver (1 person): Carve and serve turkey.
Server (2 shifts, 6 persons each): Assist with serving food, ensuring guests have what they need throughout the Thanksgiving lunch
- First shift: 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Second shift: 1:00 p.m. – end of lunch
Runner (2 shifts, 1 person each): Assist with refilling food and supplies, delivering items between the kitchen and dining area, and supporting servers or organizers as needed.
- First shift: 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Second shift: 1:00 p.m. – end of lunch
Beverage Server (2 shifts, 2 persons each): Serve drinks to guests, refill beverages as needed, and ensure the drink station remains clean and well-stocked.
- First shift: 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Second shift: 1:00 p.m. – end of lunch
Dessert Server (2 shifts, 1 person each):
- First shift (12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.): Receive desserts brought by guests, set up the dessert table, and cut or portion items as needed.
- Second shift (1:00 p.m. – end of lunch): Maintain cleanliness, replenish desserts, and assist with serving.
Child Entertainer/Minder (1-2 person if needed): Supervise and engage children with fun activities, ensuring their safety and enjoyment.
Music Team (2–4 persons): Provide background music or live performances to create a festive and enjoyable atmosphere.
Host Administrator (2 persons): Oversee the event and ensure all activities run smoothly.
Clean-Up (6–8 persons): Wash dishes, clean the venue after the Thanksgiving lunch, and help package any leftover food for storage or distribution.
Meal Delivery:
- Meal Delivery First Shift (2 persons, 11:00–11:30 a.m.): Pick up food from caterer and transport it to Augustana.
- Meal Delivery Second Shift (3-4 teams, 2 persons each team - a driver and an assistant, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): Assemble delivery boxes, ensuring each contains food, dessert, and a Thanksgiving card; and deliver boxes to 2–3 guests who cannot attend in person.
Contributions Welcome!
Help support your community whether or not you are able to attend! Your contributions are greatly appreciate toward Thanksgiving Day meals for your neighbors who may have difficulty affording it. Please consider making a contribution during registration or contribute here and note "Thanksgiving" in the comments.
At any point throughout the year, you can contribute in support of the Hyde Park Community Thanksgiving Day Meal for your neighbors who may have difficulty affording it. Donate here and note "Thanksgiving" in the comments.
Getting There:
Free on-site parking at Augustana Lutheran Church!
CHPV Members may also request transportation.
Due by 4pm on the Friday prior to the event.
Call 773-363-1933 or email servicerequest@chpv.org
Safety Precautions:
• The safety of our community members is of utmost importance.
• If you are experiencing Covid-19, flu, or cold symptoms and/or are not feeling well, please refrain from participating in CHPV in-person activities. Please contact us if you are compelled to cancel due to illness and wish to receive a full refund.
• CHPV strongly recommends wearing a face mask when not actively eating or drinking.
• CHPV strongly encourages all persons attending in-person events to be current with their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations according to CDC guidelines. If your vaccinations are up-to-date, please complete the CHPV COVID-19 & Flu Vaccination Record.
Email info@chpv.org with your questions.
If you are not a member of CHPV and have been enjoying our programs and services, please consider joining now! Membership starts as low as $100 annually.
Whether you are a member or not, CHPV's programs and services depend on the generous support of people like you! Please make a gift to CHPV's vibrant community of healthy living and social connection.
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