Register for Veridian's Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner in Waterloo
Veridian will serve free Thanksgiving meals through curbside pick-up and limited delivery on Nov. 23. Reservations are required on a first-come, first-serve basis through Oct. 30.
Published Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Registration is now open for Veridian Credit Union’s 45th annual Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner, a long-standing community tradition that provides free Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families throughout the Cedar Valley.
Veridian employees will serve free meals through curbside pick-up on Monday, Nov. 23 at the UAW Local 838 Union Hall in Waterloo, Iowa. Reservations are required and can be made at veridiancu.org/thanksgiving through Friday, Oct. 30. Pick-up and delivery times are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each year, volunteers prepare approximately 1,200 to 1,300 Thanksgiving meals complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn and pumpkin pie.
How do I get a free Thanksgiving meal in Waterloo?
Community members can reserve a free meal by visiting Veridian's Thanksgiving Dinner registration page through Friday, Oct. 30. A reservation is required to receive a meal.
Meals will be distributed through scheduled curbside pick-up appointments on Monday, Nov. 23. People without transportation who live in Cedar Falls, Evansdale or Waterloo may qualify for meal delivery.
What is the Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner?
The Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner is an annual community meal that has served Cedar Valley residents for more than four decades. The event honors the late Mike Adams, a former board member of what is now Veridian Credit Union and member of UAW Local 838, and his wife, Leona. Together, they helped launch the first community Thanksgiving dinner in 1982. What began as a local effort to bring neighbors together during the holiday season has grown into a long-standing community tradition.
"The Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner remains one of our richest, longest-standing traditions," said Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer. "We're grateful for Mike and Leona's legacy and the example of service they set for all of us."
Who helps provide the Thanksgiving dinner?
The event is made possible through partnerships between Veridian Credit Union, UAW Local 838, College Square Hy-Vee and Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. Together, these organizations help provide free Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families throughout the Cedar Valley.
Thanksgiving Dinner Registration Information
Event: Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner
Date: Monday, Nov. 23
Reservation Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Cost: Free
Meal Pickup: Scheduled curbside pick-up by appointment only
Delivery Available: Limited delivery for eligible residents by appointment only
Registration: veridiancu.org/thanksgiving