RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) — With just four days until Thanksgiving, everyday people are taking action to help build a better Bay Area when it comes to helping families facing food insecurity.
Food banks and nonprofits are seeing more people in need of assistance this holiday season.
Dozens of volunteers in Richmond were making Thanksgiving happen for hundreds of families facing the stress of food insecurity. A drive-thru Turkey giveaway was making it easy, grab-and-go. Thanksgiving meal kits were included.
For Nivette Moore, the gift was everything.
“A turkey is one thing you want to be able to have, and to take it off my shopping list is the most precious gift I will ever get from a stranger,” Moore said.
MORE: Thanksgiving food drives help struggling Bay Area families facing food insecurity: ‘Feed everybody’
It’s the 10th year for this food giveaway, hosted by The Black Neighborhood, a Richmond nonprofit. Organizers say this year feels different. The need is greater, with SNAP benefits taking a pause due to the recent government shutdown.
“We had to get on top of that ahead of schedule this year because of SNAP benefits not coming through. It’s providing that need in these tough times, inflation, prices of groceries. Making sure people had an alternate plan if they needed help,” said Uzo Nwadugbo, co-founder of The Black Neighborhood.
Five hundred turkeys were distributed. Danyell Menifee took 50 turkeys to help families at Crescent Park Community Center. She was emotional just talking about how folks are struggling.
“Because a lot of families are in need of food, this will help them,” Menifee said.
In San Francisco, local musicians and hip-hop artists were performing in Hayes Valley..
MORE: Bay Area food banks in ‘crisis mode’ despite government shutdown ending
“Make some noise if you think people should not be hungry in the Bay Area,” said rapper Frak.
A benefit concert called SNAP Back was a fundraiser for families affected by a lapse in food benefits.
“We have the platform. Let’s use it for something good during this wild time in our country,” Frak said.
The artists know it’s a critical time for families facing food insecurity. Money raised here will benefit two nonprofits helping with hunger relief.
“For me, as a musician, I love being able to donate my music towards a good cause,” said violinist Rose Crelli.
The Bay Area is stepping up, spreading a bit of joy, lifting up families this holiday.
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