Every year, dozens of volunteers and organizations make Thanksgiving special.

This happens in various ways: there’s people who put together meal boxes for families in need, those who serve meals at Thanksgiving Day dinners and yet others who volunteer at races held on the holiday. It also happens in the ways many of us likely don’t see, from checking in on neighbors who are spending the holidays alone to bringing in leftover pie to share with coworkers.

With that in mind, here are some Thanksgiving meals and events taking place in the Upper Valley.

MEALS

The Upper Valley Haven will provide Thanksgiving meal kits during its Turkey Day Event, from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 23 at Hartford High School (37 Highland Ave., White River Junction). No registration is required. The kits include frozen turkey, fresh vegetables, stuffing mix, cranberry jelly and pie filling. For those who can’t attend Saturday, they can also stop by the Haven’s Community Food Market (713 Hartford Ave., White River Junction) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25 and Tuesday, Nov. 26. Call 802-295-6500 for more information. 

Vermont Law and Graduate School will host a free community Thanksgiving Day meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Chase Community Center (164 Chelsea St.) in South Royalton. Those who live in Chelsea, Tunbridge, Royalton, Sharon, Bethel, South Royalton and Strafford can also have a meal delivered. Organizers are also seeking volunteers beginning at 8 a.m. to help serve and pack meals; to deliver meals beginning at 10 a.m., and clean up after dinner. Registration for deliveries, the sit-down dinner and volunteering is required by contacting Courtney Potter at communitythanksgiving@vermontlaw.edu or 802-831-1238. People can also reach out to Carol Greene, of the Royalton and Area Lions Club, at 802-291-3750.

Lebanon’s Sacred Heart Parish (2 Hough St.) will host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner meal from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 603-448-6575 to make a reservation or to volunteer.

Red Can, a new restaurant located at 129 S. Main St., in White River Junction, will provide free takeout Thanksgiving meals from 10 a.m. to noon on Thanksgiving Day. Meals include turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, vegetables, stuffing, dessert, a beverage, utensils and napkins. More information: facebook.com/redcanvt.

The Space on Main (174 Main St., Bradford, Vt.) will host a Community Friendsgiving from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Participants may bring a dish to share. Registration required: https://thespaceonmain.org/programs/community-friendsgiving-2/.  

PIE SALES

The Middle Branch Grange will host its annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26at the Octagon at 34 Factory Hill Road. The sale features a variety of pies for $14, plus dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, donuts and Christmas wreaths at various costs. More information: 802-291-1234.

The Friends of the Orford Libraries will hold its Annual Homemade Pie Sale from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 27 at the Orford Social Library (573 Main St.). The sale features a variety of homemade pies available until sold out. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Orford Libraries. Come early for best selection. More information: 603-353-4220.

RACES

Hanover’s Parks and Recreation Department will hold its Turkey Trot 5K & 10K from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. The races begin at the Dartmouth Green (1 E. Wheelock St.). Registration costs range from $25 to $35; youth are $10. Pre-register at hanovernh.org/728/Turkey-Trot-5K-10K-Road-Race or register at the race. All runners will be entered into a raffle of local business prizes. Bring a canned good to donate to Listen for an extra raffle ticket, dress up like a turkey for an additional extra ticket.

The Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot 5K begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving at Sunapee Harbor. A 1K Chicken Run for kids takes place at 8:15 a.m. Registration costs range from $5 to $35. Proceeds from the race supports the Sunapee Recreation Department. Register at sunapeeturkeytrot.com.

Norwich’s Turkey Trot begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Gazebo on the Norwich Green (22 Church St.). No registration is required; monetary donations for the Upper Valley Haven are encouraged. More information: norwichvtturkeytrot.com.

Zack’s Place annual Turkey Trot begins at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving at Woodstock Elementary School (15 South St.). The annual event, now in its 18th year, includes a 5K race and a walk. It costs $35 to participate and registration is encouraged at zacksplacevt.org/turkey-trot. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Woodstock’s Billings Farm & Museum (69 Old River Road) will hold its annual "A Family Thanksgiving" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. through Sunday, Dec. 1. Step into the historic 1890 Farm Manager’s House for a glimpse of a traditional 19th-century Thanksgiving, along with hands-on pie crust making, placemat weaving, a story time for the kids and more. Admission costs $19. More information: billingsfarm.org.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.