BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Food shelves across the Champlain Valley say they are seeing a major drop in holiday donations, a major challenge a week before Thanksgiving.
“They were really low on turkeys so we said, guess what? Time to go get turkeys,” said Kenneth Tefft, who along with his wife Janice, continued their tradition of donating turkeys to Chittenden County’s largest food shelf. “It just makes sense to help people. When I thought of a family that wants to celebrate Thanksgiving, but really can’t afford it. It’s just like, you know, helping hands right here.”
On a good year, Feeding Champlain Valley would usually get about 1,100 turkeys for the holiday season, which can help feed about 10.000 families. They have only received about 200 so far.
And the need spreads beyond the Queen City. “This is across the board. I mean, we see the highest number of people here at our food shelf in Burlington. Addison Food Shelf, North West Family Foods up in St. Albans, also the Richford Food Shelf are now within Champlain Valley, and they are all struggling,” said Anna McMahon with Feeding Champlain Valley.
While many continue to feel the effects of high costs across the board, economists say turkey prices are down about $1.70 a pound from a year ago.
“Well, I don’t know why you would be more hesitant to give this year. I mean, I think people certainly probably need it more this year,” said Chris Chiquoine of Essex Junction.
Feeding Champlain Valley is going to start distributing turkeys on November 21, but they say there is still time to donate to any one of their locations.