Our annual Bust-a-Crust Thanksgiving pie fundraiser returns this fall! Equal parts tasty and mission-driven, Bust-a-Crust serves pies with a purpose to the community. Proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels mission of delivering essential services that promote the independence and well-being of seniors.
About Bust-a-Crust
2026 marks the seventh year in a row for our Bust-a-Crust fundraiser. In its simplest form, it's a pie sale! We reach out to Meals on Wheels community partners, corporate partners, individuals, families and organizations throughout the region to sell a variety of pies to enjoy for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Many businesses will purchase pies in bulk to give to their team members or clients as a holiday treat. Others opt to purchase pies and donate them back to Meals on Wheels so that we can deliver them to partnering senior centers around the community. Likewise, many folks purchase pies to take to their family Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving parties.
Every year of Bust-a-Crust has had its own unique flavor and features. One year, local chefs created specialty desserts for purchase around the region. Another year, we hosted a 5k race with runners each receiving pie at the finish line. In 2025, Meals on Wheels partnered with Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, who donated thousands of pies for us to sell. The main ingredient is always the same: Proceeds go directly to Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, supporting our ability to provide essential services to older adults.
How Bust-a-Crust Works
It takes a village to make Bust-a-Crust a successful fundraiser. Together with our sponsors and partnering organizations, we spread the word about Bust-a-Crust and take pie orders from the community in the months leading up to Thanksgiving. Behind the scenes, our volunteer, advancement, production and distribution teams prepare the logistics for fulfilling those orders. Then, right before the Thanksgiving holiday, our team members, sponsors, partners and volunteer community come together for a fast-paced, feel-good pie-assembly event.
Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church has been a steadfast Bust-a-Crust partner over the years. They have hosted the space needed for us to assemble thousands of pie boxes and prepare them for delivery. Several church members participate in the pie-assembly event as well. Longtime partners and sponsors like TQL have played a key role in lending us refrigerated trailers that keep the pies cool until they reach recipients.
Finally, Meals on Wheels team members and volunteer drivers work in tandem for pie delivery and pick-up. Bulk orders of 12 pies or more receive free delivery within the Greater Cincinnati area, and individuals who purchase fewer than 12 pies can pick up their orders right before the holiday.
Our team's favorite part of the entire fundraiser? Making deliveries to senior centers and congregate partners and gifting pies just in time for Thanksgiving.
Why it Matters
Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization with a mission to deliver essential services that promote the independence and well-being of seniors. Every year, we reach nearly 11,000 older adults throughout 13 counties. We provide nutrition, connection and protection for our aging community members to ensure they are able to age in place with safety and dignity. Beyond weekly meal delivery, we provide congregate meals in group settings, transportation services, social and protective services, pet support, social connection programs and management of the OTR Senior Center—the last remaining senior center in downtown Cincinnati.
Bust-a-Crust is one of our signature fundraising initiatives, alongside our gala in March and our annual day of giving in the fall. It gives the community a unique, engaging, family-friendly opportunity to be part of the Meals on Wheels mission. Thanksgiving is a holiday best shared with others, and Bust-a-Crust is a fundraising event that helps make that possible.
How You Can Participate
Three ways you can participate in Bust-a-Crust:
1. Sponsor: Partner with Meals on Wheels to make Bust-a-Crust a success! You'll enjoy a variety of sponsor benefits—like media mentions and sponsor spotlights—and, of course, a variety of pies.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Meals on Wheels Events & Partnerships Manager Chelsea Eifert at ceifert@muchmorethanameal.org
2. Order: Buy for yourself, buy for your family, or buy in bulk! Proceeds from every order benefit our mission. Bulk orders of 12 pies or more include a 20% discount.
3. Pie it forward: Not much of a pie person? You can still help us Bust-a-Crust! Pay it forward by purchasing pies for seniors, or by making a gift to benefit our mission.