ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A survey by Personal Capital revealed that 1 in 4 families may skip Thanksgiving this year because of inflation, higher food prices and gas prices.
Local churches and nonprofits are also feeling the pinch.
Instead of scaling back on Thanksgiving meal donations, volunteers at Radius Church in St. Petersburg gathered enough food and turkeys to feed 836 families.
What You Need To Know
- Some families are struggling to buy food for Thanksgiving dinner this year because of inflation and gas prices
- Volunteers at Radius Church are gathering food to feed 836 families for the Thanksgiving holiday
- Members of the church congregation are supporting the families in need by delivering meals
"Our heart is that we want to show visible, tangible love in our community," said Pastor Blake Clark. "We believe that love is most powerful when it is tangible and we see that during Thanksgiving."
Radius Church started this tradition eight years ago with just 50 families in need.
"Many people have found it hard to just be able to buy groceries every week," said church member Kirsten Knox, who is working on being part of the solution this Thanksgiving holiday.
Kendra Holman, another member of the church, said she's pleased to see the support for others during the holiday.
"It's nice to know that it's going to make their life easier," she said.
Despite inflation, a shortage in turkeys and an increase in the cost of food, the congregation surpassed its goal from the year before.
It's an annual tradition Holman says she looks forward to.
"Getting out in the community and being a physical presence is helpful," she added.
She's also helping to deliver the meals. Kirsten and Holman's first stop is at the home of a single mother in St. Petersburg who is getting the donation for the first time.
Katrina Hayes, a housekeeper at a local hotel, works six days a week to make ends meet.
"I'm grateful, thank you so much," she said.
She says she could use all the help she can get at the moment.
"It's tradition, you know, you don't want your kid to be the only one not having a big Thanksgiving dinner," she said.
Hayes says she's trying to give her 13-year-old son the life she never had while growing up in the foster care system.
"This is my first truly stable home," Hayes said.
It's one of the many blessings she's thankful for this year. As she stocks up her cabinets and refrigerator with the donated food, she's even more grateful for the help from her community.
With each stop and contribution, Radius Church says they are helping families forget about their struggles at least for a day.