Thanksgiving and Food Insecurity: Why 1 in 8 Americans Still Go Hungry

The Paradox of Plenty

Thanksgiving is America's celebration of abundance—tables overflowing with turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Yet for 44 million Americans, including 13 million children, the holiday is a stark reminder of their daily struggle with food insecurity.

One in eight Americans doesn't know where their next meal will come from. In the wealthiest nation on Earth, this is a crisis we can solve—and at The Chahal Foundation, we're working every day to make that happen.

Understanding Food Insecurity

Food insecurity isn't always visible. It's the grandmother choosing between medication and groceries. The college student skipping meals to afford textbooks. The working parent stretching a box of pasta to feed three children.

Key facts:

44 million Americans are food insecure (1 in 8)
13 million children don't have reliable access to nutritious food
10.2% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2025
40% of food insecure households have at least one working adult
83% of food banks report increased demand over the past year

Food insecurity isn't about laziness or poor planning—it's about impossible choices between rent, healthcare, childcare, and food.

The Thanksgiving Hunger Surge

The holiday season amplifies food insecurity. Between November and January:

Schools that provide free meals are closed for extended periods
Heating costs increase, forcing trade-offs with food budgets
Social pressure to provide "normal" holiday meals adds financial strain
Food banks see 20-30% increases in demand
Many families experience their first contact with food assistance

For families already struggling, the expectation of a bountiful Thanksgiving feast becomes an impossible burden.

Beyond the Food Bank: Dignity-Centered Assistance

Traditional food assistance often treats recipients as passive beneficiaries. At The Chahal Foundation, we believe everyone deserves food assistance that preserves their dignity and agency.

Our approach is different: 1. Choice-Based Distribution

Instead of predetermined boxes, our food programs allow recipients to select items that fit their dietary needs, cultural preferences, and family situations. A grandmother with diabetes can choose appropriate foods. A family observing halal requirements can find options that work for them.

2. Community Kitchens

Our 30+ community kitchen sites serve hot, nutritious meals in welcoming environments. These aren't soup kitchen lines—they're community gathering spaces where neighbors share meals together, building social connections alongside nutrition.

3. Wraparound Support

Food insecurity rarely exists in isolation. At our distribution sites, we connect families with:

SNAP enrollment assistance
Healthcare navigation
Housing support services
Employment resources
Children's educational programs

By the Numbers: Our Food Security Impact

Every month, The Chahal Foundation's food security programs serve:

50,000+ meals through community kitchens
15,000 families through food distribution
30 community sites across our service areas
500+ volunteers supporting distribution operations

Annually, this translates to:

600,000+ meals served
180,000 families reached
$3.5 million in food value distributed
40,000 volunteer hours dedicated to fighting hunger

What Hunger Looks Like

Maria's story:

Maria works two part-time jobs and cares for her three children and elderly mother. Despite working 50 hours a week, she makes $2 too much to qualify for SNAP. Every week involves impossible calculations: Can she afford both groceries and her mother's blood pressure medication?

"The community kitchen saved us," Maria says. "My kids get dinner, I can focus on rent and medicine, and no one makes us feel ashamed. It feels like family."

James's story:

At 67, James spent his career as a machinist. After his company closed and his wife passed away, he found himself alone and struggling. Pride kept him from seeking help until a neighbor mentioned our program.

"I thought I'd be eating out of a bag on a corner somewhere. Instead, I sit down at a real table with real people. We talk about sports, politics, our grandchildren. I found community again."

The Holiday Meal Program

Every Thanksgiving, we expand our efforts through a dedicated holiday meal program:

5,000+ complete Thanksgiving dinners distributed to families
Community Thanksgiving feasts at all 30 sites for those who would otherwise eat alone
Volunteer opportunities for families wanting to teach children about giving back
Winter food box program extending through the holiday season

How You Can Help Fight Hunger

Donate:

$10 provides 30 meals through our community kitchen network
$25 feeds a family of four for one week
$100 supplies a complete Thanksgiving dinner for 10 families
$500 sponsors a community kitchen site for one day

Volunteer:

Sort and pack food at distribution centers
Serve meals at community kitchen sites
Help with SNAP enrollment and resource navigation
Organize food drives in your workplace or community

Advocate:

Support policies that strengthen SNAP and WIC
Encourage your elected officials to fund school meal programs
Raise awareness about food insecurity in your community

This Thanksgiving

As you gather with loved ones around a table of abundance, remember the 44 million Americans for whom that abundance remains out of reach. Your support can help us serve more meals, reach more families, and ensure that everyone has enough to eat—not just at Thanksgiving, but every day.

No one should face hunger alone. Together, we can ensure they don't.

Fight hunger with us →