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Turkey Shortage At Food Banks Nationwide

Across the United States, food banks are dealing with shortages in turkeys.

"It's just not here this Thanksgiving," Feeding America food bank's Ken Kupchick says.

Donations nationwide are down drastically -- River Valley food bank in Arkansas says last year they had 2,000 to 4,000 turkeys to donate. This year they only have around 200.

The Center for Food Action in New Jersey is facing a similar problem -- they are in need of about 1000 turkeys.

Food insecurity has increased in the past year, and the lack of donations has been blamed on a poor economy.

The Oak Park and River Forest Food Pantry in Illinois will likely not give out turkey at all, stating increased food costs.

Pantry director Michele Zurakowski said it wasn't fair, but the pantry would rather provide more food day-to-day than one expensive meal.

Read More:

  • U.S. Food Banks Struggling With Holiday Turkey Shortage (ABC News)
  • Center for Food Action, short on turkeys, committed to providing Thanksgiving meals (North Jersey.com)
  • Thanksgiving turkeys, holiday hams are a casualty of the economy at food pantry (Tribune Local)