‘The economy is not doing well’: San Antonio Food Bank prepares for expensive holiday season

SAN ANTONIO – Inflation is hitting the San Antonio Food Bank as it prepares to feed thousands of families this Thanksgiving.

CEO Eric Cooper said this vacation will be the most expensive his team has experienced in years. The result: The food bank is not able to provide as many families with a Thanksgiving turkey compared to last year, although the food bank still plans to distribute 12,000 of them.

But the clock is ticking. They still have to collect 2,000 by Wednesday.

“When you think about the cost of Thanksgiving, when you think about the cost of a turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce — all the things that make up Thanksgiving — they’re at the highest prices we’ve ever seen because of inflation have seen. said Cooper.

He said demand for help from the food bank has increased during the pandemic. It still needs to slow down.

“We have pandemic-level demand,” Cooper said.

It’s an overwhelming situation, he says. In the 29 counties the food bank serves throughout South Texas, more than 800,000 people have used its services in the past 12 months.

“That’s almost one in three people turning to the food bank for food, programs or services, and that sends the message that the economy is not doing well,” Cooper said.

Still, the CEO says they are committed to helping families, especially during the holidays.

“Rent, utilities, transportation, child care – all of these expenses have eaten up the entire household budget,” Cooper said. “It’s just not enough to buy groceries and be able to carry out a tradition like Thanksgiving.” “

He said so far they have blessed 10,000 families with a Thanksgiving turkey, but now they want to help 2,000 more households.

If you would like to donate a turkey, you can visit the food bank during regular business hours. Cooper said people can also donate money online.

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