An Ellettsville food pantry will have its plate full Friday when it comes time to distribute meals for Thanksgiving.
Pantry 279 had to close its donation list early at 2,500 families this year in order to meet demand. That’s about 22,000 people who will be receiving food from the organization in the next few days.
Cindy Chavez, director at Pantry 279, said it has been the biggest year yet for the pantry’s Thanksgiving program.
“This year 2022 has blown 2020 out of the water straight across the board with the pantry numbers. I knew it was going to be bad,” she said.
Meat is always a difficult item to get a hold of for the pantry this time of year, but 2022 has proven extra challenging with a bird flu pandemic causing the price of turkey to increase. Some generous donors have been able to assist.
Read more: Why the price of turkey is so high this year
“We are fortunate that we had some supporters and some friends that came through with hams,” Chavez said. “Turkeys we got from Feeding America, we still have to purchase them, but at a significantly lower rate. I'm paying probably eight or nine dollars a turkey whereas in the market, they're 40, 50, 60 dollars.”
Donations of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, yams, corn bread, and corn are still needed to fill the final orders for Thanksgiving. Drivers willing to deliver the food are also encouraged to come by the center at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
Regular distribution at Pantry 279 happens Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and is always open to cash and food donations as well as volunteers.
Read more: Hoosiers can expect to pay about 14% more for Thanksgiving this year
