Mr. Thanksgiving’s 55th annual Thanksgiving Dinner will again return to Mercado on Fifth in downtown Moline.
The annual free dinner will be served from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at Mercado’s facility at 423 12th St.
Bob Vogelbaugh, known as “Mr. Thanksgiving,” began the tradition in 1971 with a simple mission: ensuring no one spends the holiday alone by offering a free holiday meal to the community.
“Rooted in kindness, this tradition ensures no one spends the holiday alone – bringing neighbors together year after year,” according to information from the nonprofit Friends of Mr. Thanksgiving.
This will be the second year Mercado has hosted the longtime Quad Cities holiday tradition. After years of being held at Moline’s SouthPark Mall, the free holiday meal moved to Mercado in 2024.
Last year, Mercado served about 1,900 meals on Thanksgiving Day.
The Thanksgiving dinner began as a small gesture at Mr. Vogelbaugh’s former grocery store in downtown Moline – located near where Mercado is today. Since that humble start, it has grown into a beloved annual tradition, drawing together people from all walks of life to celebrate Thanksgiving as a community.
RIA Federal Credit Union once again is stepping up with a major donation to help cover food costs, showing its strong commitment to community well-being. Hy-Vee also will continue its annual tradition by preparing, providing, and helping serve meals on Thanksgiving Day.
See the Friends of Mr. Thanksgiving Facebook page for updates on the holiday event. Go here to donate to the Thanksgiving dinner.
