Local organizations are seeing more people in need of assistance this Thanksgiving holiday season as many families are struggling to put food on the table as inflation is causing a big dent in their wallets.
Though the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP) food benefits were reinstated after Congress reached a deal two weeks ago to reopen the federal government, officials with Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry and Northern Illinois Food Bank say lines are still forming from those looking for relief from food insecurity.
Juliette Panske of Plainfield said this is the first time she turned to the pantry for help with putting food on the table.
“With high energy costs and food prices, it is getting harder and harder to make ends meet,” she said. “Plus, I am on disability, and my payments do not go far.”
The next distribution for the remainder of this year is Dec. 9th and 30th from 8 to 11 a.m. at the pantry at 22525 S. Lockport St., Plainfield at the Northern Illinois Food Bank South Suburban Center at 171 S. Larkin Ave. in Joliet. Future distribution information is available by calling (630) 389-1568.
Jim Moreno, who volunteers at the food pantry, said the Feeding America Web site is a great resource for people looking for donations.
“They have information that is timely,” he said. “But with Thanksgiving being on Thursday, many places are closed. But you can still get on a list to get food for December and particularly Christmas.”
Moreno said he and his wife make it a point to help people in their Joliet neighborhood, regardless of the season.
“We simply just talk to our neighbors and give a bag of groceries to people who otherwise could not afford turkey and the trimmings for Thanksgiving. I would much rather do with less, so an unfortunate person has something to eat,” Moreno added.
“That is the true meaning of Thanksgiving and not stuffing ourselves so we cannot get off the couch.”
Not only has the food bank been assisting the community with food giveaways churches have also had food drives and assisted those in need also.
