INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — For a family struggling each month to put food on the table, a Thanksgiving feast is an expensive luxury.
This month, Treasure Coast Food Bank launches its annual Great Treasure Coast Holiday Food & Fund Drive to ensure that all families can enjoy holiday meals without worrying about their food budgets.
“Every day of the year, families who depend on us and our partner agencies to help them put food on the table do so on a tight budget. At the holidays, we’d like them to be able to enjoy a day in the giving spirit with family and friends and not worry so much about their food budgets,” Treasure Coast Food Bank CEO Judith Cruz said.
Food prices for some items, namely eggs, sugar and sweets are considerably higher this year, adding to the cost of scratch-made holiday dishes.
“Last year, the nation’s farmers faced droughts in the Southwest and California and avian flu in the Midwest where most of the poultry farms are located,” Cruz said. “While some of the agricultural industry has recovered, there’s no doubt its effects will still be felt over the holidays.”
From now until the end of the year, Treasure Coast Food Bank experiences its busiest time of the year as requests for food at the holidays expands. Treasure Coast Food Bank strives to provide turkeys and holiday meal favorites to every family in Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties who otherwise wouldn’t be able to share in the iconic American holiday traditions.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved by donating a turkey, hosting a food drive, or making a cash donation through Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Virtual Food Drive at www.stophunger.org.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, Treasure Coast Food Bank will hold its annual Turkey Drop to collect donated turkeys at sites located throughout the community. A list of all drop sites will be made available at www.stophunger.org.
“The giving spirit really comes out on the Treasure Coast at the holidays, and we can count on our residents and businesses to hold food drives and donate turkeys,” Cruz said. “Many people may find that the best investment is a donation through our Virtual Food Drive.”
All money donated to Treasure Coast Food Bank is tax-deductible, and donors receive a receipt for each monetary gift. A $25 donation provides a holiday meal for a family of four.
For more information about the Great Treasure Coast Holiday Food & Fund Drive or to register your online or traditional food drive, please visit www.stophunger.org. To contact our Food Drive Coordinator, Gary Porter, call (772) 489-3034 or email gporter@tcfoodbank.org.
