Thanksgiving Dinner Tradition Returns to The Center
By Gus Hernandez
Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for many people in our community. For some LGBTQ+ people, the holiday can be marked by loneliness, especially for those who have experienced rejection or estrangement from family because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. For others, Thanksgiving can bring complicated feelings as we reflect on the painful history of colonization, displacement, and violence experienced by Indigenous peoples in what is now the United States. For many facing financial hardship, the holiday can remind us of the challenges of putting food on the table.
Yet even amid those realities, Thanksgiving can also offer an opportunity to gather, connect, and care for one another.
That spirit of community is what has sustained the Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Thanksgiving Community Dinner for nearly four decades. On Thursday, November 26, 2026, the 39th Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner will take place at The San Diego LGBT Community Center, a free event presented by the Imperial Court de San Diego that welcomes everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, allies, families, friends, and neighbors.
In a time when social and political divisions can often feel overwhelming, this annual tradition offers something increasingly rare: a place where people from different backgrounds can come together around a shared meal, build community, and remember that we can create spaces of belonging.
Doors will open at 11 a.m., with dinner and a community program from 12 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all.
For 39 years, the Imperial Court de San Diego has carried forward this remarkable tradition of service, creating a welcoming space where compassion, inclusion, and generosity come to life. While a Thanksgiving meal may be the centerpiece of the day, the event’s true purpose extends far beyond what is served on the plate.
For many guests, the dinner offers an opportunity to connect with chosen family. LGBTQ+ communities have long understood the importance of creating supportive networks when traditional family relationships are strained, unavailable, or absent. The Thanksgiving Community Dinner embodies that spirit by ensuring everyone who walks through the doors is welcomed with warmth, dignity, and respect.
The event’s impact is felt in another important way. While Thanksgiving often centers on abundance, many individuals and families continue to struggle with food insecurity throughout the year. Rising costs for housing, groceries, and everyday necessities have made it increasingly difficult for many community members to meet their basic needs. Seniors on fixed incomes, individuals living with disabilities, young people experiencing housing instability, and working families are among those facing difficult choices between food and other essential expenses. The holiday meal provides immediate nourishment, but it also highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to combat hunger across our community.
At The Center, addressing food insecurity is a year-round commitment. Through partnerships with community organizations and regular food distribution programs, food is provided every month to community members in need. These services help ensure that LGBTQ+ people, allies, and families have access to healthy food and essential resources throughout the year.
These efforts received significant recognition last month; The Center was honored with the 2026 Partner of the Year Award from the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The prestigious award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, collaboration, and impact in addressing food insecurity across San Diego County.
This recognition reflects the dedication of staff, volunteers, and community partners who work to connect people with nutritious food and supportive services. It also highlights the power of collective action and what is possible when organizations come together to meet community needs.
The Center hosts two food banks per month. The Neighborhood Food Bank is usually held the first Tuesday of the month from 8 to 10 a.m., but in November it is rescheduled to Tuesday, November 10, since The Center will be a Vote Center on November 3. The Senior Food Bank for people 60 and older is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, and will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Thanksgiving Community Dinner reminds us that Thanksgiving is an opportunity to care for one another. Whether someone is seeking a warm meal, companionship, connection, or simply a place to spend the holiday surrounded by caring people, they will find belonging at The Center.
39th Annual Scott Carlson/Dan Ferbal Thanksgiving Community Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026
The San Diego LGBT Community Center
Doors Open: 11 a.m.
Dinner & Program: Noon to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Everyone is welcome.
Other upcoming free events at The Center include the Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and Come Home For The Holidays on December 12, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m.