How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Anderson County: Your guide to food, shopping, events

Travis Jacque Rose, Anderson Independent Mail

With Thanksgiving around the corner, Anderson County has a variety of festive events and activities for the whole family.

Make sure to check out our Thanksgiving guide which is filled with insight on holiday prices, grocery store hours, pre-ordering and dining out options, volunteering, holiday activities for the family and Black Friday deals.

Here are some things to consider this Thanksgiving season.

Prices for Thanksgiving meal prep have increased

When choosing whether to cook Thanksgiving dinner at home or go out to a restaurant, families have many factors to consider.

The biggest factor is cost. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices are up nearly 17% in the past two years. In 2022, the American Farm Bureau Federation predicted the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people to be $64.05 per person.

Sweet potatoes, pictured inside a Kroger grocery store earlier this month in Missouri, are among the popular foods for Thanksgiving side dishes that have increased in price in the last year. However, costs for turkeys, the main course for many Americans, have slightly fallen.
Sweet potatoes, pictured inside a Kroger grocery store earlier this month in Missouri, are among the popular foods for Thanksgiving side dishes that have increased in price in the last year. However, costs for turkeys, the main course for many Americans, have slightly fallen.

Though the 2023 estimate has yet to be released, the Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices are up by 2.4%.

However, Thanksgiving turkey is cheaper this year than last year. According to the 2023 Wells Fargo Thanksgiving report, released Wednesday. The retail price of whole-fresh turkeys dropped 9% in October compared to last year. Stores saw their costs drop by 30%.

Anderson area grocery store hours

Anderson and Upstate SC grocery stores have started announcing Thanksgiving Day closures.

Customers are encouraged to shop early to stock up on their holiday items.

As they have for the past three years, Walmart stores nationwide will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Since Publix was founded 92 years ago, its doors have been closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Food Lion will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. BI-LO will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Ingles will be operating from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here are some restaurants where Anderson residents can pick up or enjoy a Thanksgiving meal

On Thanksgiving Day, guests can dine at The Clock restaurant at 105 Centerville Road, which offers Thanksgiving meal prep dinners and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Breakfast will be served from 6:30-11 a.m. and Thanksgiving menu will be served from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The Clock Thanksgiving menu includes traditional favorites such as turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. They also offer sides and vegetables like rice, sweet potatoes and potato salad.

Catering orders are currently being accepted at The Clock, but 24-hour notice is requested. For more information, contact 864-226-5959 to place an order.

Have we missed any Anderson restaurants open for Thanksgiving or offering take-home meals? If so, please email me at trose1@gannett.com and let me know! Be sure to check back for updates during the Holiday season.

Volunteer Terri Mancini fixes a Thanksgiving meal plate at the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen in Anderson Wednesday. Central Presbyterian Church in Anderson provided eight turkeys and items for over 100 visitors.
Volunteer Terri Mancini fixes a Thanksgiving meal plate at the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen in Anderson Wednesday. Central Presbyterian Church in Anderson provided eight turkeys and items for over 100 visitors.

Anderson residents give back to the community during the holidays

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen, 1527 S. Main St.

Volunteers are welcome to participate.

The soup kitchen will reopen on Friday, Nov. 24, serving lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

For its day-to-day operations, the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen is entirely dependent on volunteers and donations.

For those interested in volunteering they can visit their Facebook page or come to the front door.

Anderson Salvation Army

The Anderson County Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of activities. This includes bell ringers to collect donations outside of retail partners this holiday season.

The funds raised each year in the annual Red Kettle Campaign support the Army’s year-round work.

Last year, the Salvation Army’s Stringer Emergency Lodge provided over 15,000 nights of lodging and 15,000 meals to 469 men, women, and families with children experiencing homelessness in Anderson County.

The Salvation Army also needs donors to adopt an “Angel” and brighten a child’s Christmas by buying them new clothing and toys through the Angel Tree program.

There are up to 800 children in need. Donors can sign up to give $25 a month to help families in need with money for groceries, clothing, shelter and more.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. Donations can be made online at salvationarmyusa.org.

The Salvation Army has been serving Anderson County since 1910.

Activities in Anderson to celebrate Thanksgiving

The Electric City Gobbler 5k and 1-mile fun run will be held Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Anderson Mall at 1313 Main St.

All proceeds will support the Operation Active Kids Program, A First Flight Alliance Initiative.

Attendees can register here and purchase a new custom medal and T-shirt here.

Anderson's Lights of Hope will celebrate its 30th anniversary at 150 Rose Valley Blvd. In honor of this milestone, there will be over two miles of outdoor Christmas light displays.

There will be a Christmas village, live holiday wood carving, wagon rides and entertainment.

Gates open daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

For more details and hours, check out their website here.

Have we missed any upcoming Thanksgiving events in Anderson County? If so, please email me at trose1@gannett.com and let me know! Be sure to check back for updates during the Holiday season.

Black Friday shoppers go in and out of Target during the Thanksgiving weekend in Anderson, S.C. Friday, November 25, 2022.
Black Friday shoppers go in and out of Target during the Thanksgiving weekend in Anderson, S.C. Friday, November 25, 2022.

End your night with Black Friday Deals

The Anderson Mall at 3131 N Main St. will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 24

Visit the Anderson Big Lots at 3427 Clemson Blvd on Nov. 29 for Black Friday deals.

Best Buy's best deals for Black Friday 2023 are here. Customers can unlock exclusive member deals when they become a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members.

Walmart has two Black Friday sales and a Cyber Monday sale.

Shop downtown Anderson for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday deals.

Nirvana Massage & Esthetics Black Friday drop-in is at 408 N. Duncan. Selling gift certificates, Farmhouse fresh products and Grande MD lash serum.

Travis Jacque Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Anderson County Thanksgiving guide. Prices, Dining, Black Friday deals

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