With Thanksgiving just around the corner, food banks are gearing up to handle an anticipated surge in demand for assistance during the holiday season.
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio has already seen a 32% rise in demand for its services this year, setting the tone for what could be a challenging season.
“Food insecurity often reflects broader systemic challenges,” said Julie Chase-Morefield, President and CEO of Second Harvest.
Chase-Morefield noted that many families are still grappling with the financial aftershocks of the pandemic, compounded by rising housing costs, inflation, and the expiration of pandemic-era benefits.
Winter expenses such as coats and boots add additional strain to already tight budgets, forcing many households to make difficult decisions about where to cut costs.
“Food often becomes the first thing people sacrifice,” Chase-Morefield explained.
On Thursday, long lines began forming hours before a mobile food distribution event at Black River Landing in Lorain.
“Today’s going to be busy with Thanksgiving coming up—people need to stock up,” said Robert Phillips, who arrived early alongside Barbara Davitz.
The pair, who rely on fixed incomes and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, said rising grocery prices have left them struggling to make ends meet.
“We can’t even get everything we need; we’re constantly putting things back,” Davitz said. “I’m on SSI, and he’s on disability. It’s hard—really hard.”
Chase-Morefield highlighted that while seniors make up a large portion of those served by the food bank, more families and individuals have been seeking help in recent years, even if only occasionally.
The food bank is equipped to handle the holiday rush, but Chase-Morefield emphasized the need for long-term solutions to address food insecurity. Advocating for the renewal of programs like the Farm Bill, which supports food assistance, is a key part of their strategy.
“We’re pushing for strong policies to ensure we can keep meeting the demand,” she said. “The need isn’t going away anytime soon.”
For those relying on these vital resources, the support makes all the difference.
“If there’s no help, people are going to go hungry—it’s that simple,” said Davitz.
Second Harvest is hosting Thanksgiving food distributions in Lorain, Erie, Huron, and Crawford counties leading up to the holiday, ensuring families in need can enjoy a holiday meal despite their challenges.