CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thanksgiving, the fall holiday centered around a bountiful feast, is only a week away, but thousands of families in the Charlotte area struggle to have enough food year-round.
Loaves & Fishes is doing what they can to get them healthy groceries for the big day. On Wednesday, they released the results of their 2019 client survey and found that more people are the poverty level need food assistance and nearly half of them are children.
One of five kids in the Charlotte area is at risk of going to bed hungry.
Dozens of volunteers helped to deliver 500 turkeys to their 37 emergency food banks in Mecklenburg County so that those families can have a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
“Last year alone, Loaves & Fishes fed over 77,000 individuals," said Tina Postel, executive director of Loaves & Fishes. "A two or three percent increase is huge."
Their mission is to provide families with nutritionally balanced groceries at no cost, enough to provide each member of the household with 21 meals. They’re ensuring that mission remains true around the holidays.
“It’s never more evident when people are gathering around a table to celebrate the food they have. We want to make sure no family in our area has to worry about what’s going on their tables this Thanksgiving Day,” said Postel.
Volunteers from several different companies helped load up and deliver the turkeys, making a huge impact on local families.
“We strive to improve people’s financial lives and improve their lives in general so it’s great for us to be able to give back and make a difference in the community,” said Tim McWhirter with Truliant.
They’re also in urgent need of non-perishable foods. To find out where their food pantries or located or set up your own food drive visit loavesandfishes.org.