NEW YORK – On a recent afternoon, with a nostalgic Ne-Yo R&B track playing in the background, volunteers were busy cleaning and organizing at Brooklyn’s CHiPS food pantry. The lunch rush had just wrapped up, and Pauline Auguste was preparing for the next group of volunteers while strategizing for Thanksgiving.

“Every day is a challenge, but I handle it,” stated Auguste, who coordinates nearly 1,000 volunteers, ranging from regulars to those who help just once a year. “Getting overwhelmed isn’t an option; otherwise, chaos ensues.”

This fall, food bank staff like Auguste have been proactively collecting frozen turkeys, asking for donations of all sizes, and trying to maximize limited budgets. Volunteers are meticulously tracking supplies of stuffing and other items to determine what more is needed before Thanksgiving.

As wages have not kept up with rising housing costs, an increasing number of families and seniors are turning to food banks for assistance, according to nonprofit leaders speaking with YSL News. These organizations – which vary from self-service grocery options to urban farms to food trucks – are innovatively ensuring that no one leaves empty-handed. Persistent volunteers and considerate donations, even small items like a 1-pound bag of rice, contribute significantly to the ongoing support, as noted by Miriam Ortiz, director of the Gladiolus Food Pantry in Fort Myers, Florida.

“People are showing us their kindness,” Ortiz, 58, expressed. “We are grateful for every single donation, whether it’s a check for $5 or $10.”

Growing Demand for Support

With rising child poverty rates, more parents and children are looking for assistance, food bank leaders reported to YSL News. This aligns with recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicating that 13.5% of American households faced food insecurity in 2023.

More seniors, reliant on Social Security, are also seeking help at the Gladiolus Food Pantry, Ortiz noted, and CHiPS in Brooklyn is serving an increasing number of employed families, shared Executive Director Peter Endriss.

CHiPS has expanded its food distribution network to include a pantry truck launched last year, which visits five neighborhoods in Brooklyn and reaches two elementary schools, allowing the organization to serve a greater number of people than before. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, CHiPS provided 100 to 150 sit-down lunches a day; now, they deliver between 400 and 500 to-go meals daily.

“There has been an unprecedented surge in demand,” remarked 75-year-old volunteer Mark Hoglund, reflecting on the contrast between current needs and those in 2017 when he first began volunteering. Auguste, who is 39, also mentioned that the numbers seen in 2023 and 2024 “have skyrocketed.”

In Wisconsin, the state-based Hunger Task Force food bank has reported a 30% increase in monthly visits in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Executive Director Matt King.

“A large portion of the calls we receive emphasizes that rising housing costs are seriously impacting family budgets, leading to critical decisions,” King said.

At the San Antonio Food Bank, low-income families are experiencing “frustration” as they struggle with rent and utility payments that are increasingly unmanageable, stated CEO Eric Cooper.

“Many are working to improve their skills but still can’t secure stable employment. Finding a well-paying job seems out of reach for so many,” Cooper explained. “They also appear to be fatigued from juggling multiple jobs, like driving for Uber or taking part in the gig economy.”

This year, the San Antonio Food Bank reached out to serve up to 400,000 individuals.

Cooper reports that his organization assists many individuals each month, including those seeking help with food stamps and job search resources. To address the overwhelming demand this Thanksgiving, his team started purchasing frozen turkeys at an optimal time—right after Thanksgiving 2023 through spring 2024—when costs were at their lowest. By their estimates, they’ll distribute nearly 30,000 turkeys, Cooper said.

Teams of Volunteers and ‘Egg Ladies’

Similar to Hoglund at CHiPS, Peggy Rosenburg commits many hours each week as a volunteer at the Gladiolus Food Pantry.

Rosenburg, who goes by simply “volunteer” without any specific title, has spent nearly two decades uniting her condo community to support the pantry, effectively channeling their generosity. For instance, her bocce club hosts an annual tournament that encourages food donations, and older couples often reach out to her before departing on cruises so she can help them clear out their fridges.

“Everyone knows I’m their go-to person,” Rosenburg shared with YSL News.

As a member of a group known as “the egg ladies,” the 78-year-old gathers hundreds of empty egg cartons for reuse by Ortiz, who distributes bulk purchases of this essential protein source.

Food bank leaders who conversed with YSL News mentioned that spots for Thanksgiving volunteering fill up quickly with individuals who “feel truly thankful for the chance to contribute,” as Endriss noted.

“They express gratitude when leaving, which is amusing because we should be thanking them for their hard work,” Endriss remarked.

‘I Want Them to Have That Dignity’

In Las Vegas, where unemployment rates are notably high, fresh vegetables from the Obodo Collective offer significant savings on groceries and support residents in paying their rent, according to Executive Director Tameka Henry.

The group operates a half-acre farm producing over 20 types of root vegetables, greens, and fruit trees. Professional chefs educate individuals on how to utilize these ingredients during their “Sunset Suppers,” a farm-to-table event featuring harvesting followed by candlelit dinners.

“Just because someone is in need doesn’t mean they should accept whatever is given,” stated Henry, 47. “I want them to maintain their dignity.”

This Thanksgiving, Henry aims to distribute 100 turkeys along with grocery gift cards, emphasizing that these cards allow families to buy what they truly need.

In Milwaukee, the Hunger Task Force food pantry has also expanded by launching a mobile pantry, delivering food directly to communities, with Halal options available for the Muslim population. This 35-stop route has been adjusted over the past decade to meet emerging needs, said King.

“It’s about being responsive and attentive to the requirements of those we serve, and being flexible enough to adapt,” King explained.

‘They Know We Need Assistance’

As Thanksgiving approaches, King’s team received a $50 check from a sender they recognized from the food pantry line. The woman expressed that her situation had improved, and she wanted “to give back so that someone else experiencing hardship gets the same support and hope.”

Small contributions have also come into Gladiolus this month, as Ortiz noted, including a woman who mailed two bags of rice and a man who sent a box of shelf-stable milk.

“They purchase items and send them because they understand our struggle, they know we need assistance,” Ortiz remarked.

At CHiPS pantry in Brooklyn, a surge of generosity and contributions will unfold this holiday season, with Park Slope neighbors roasting turkeys and local high schoolers baking enough pies to last for days post-Thanksgiving, said Auguste.

As she accessed her laptop, Auguste beamed while refreshing her Google response form, where contributors can indicate what dish they wish to prepare. She eagerly anticipates managing the spreadsheet each year, looking forward to checking off the dishes.

“Currently, we have let me refresh this page. We now have 50 responses!” she exclaimed. “That’s why I prefer not to receive praise; it’s not about us. It’s about what we’re doing for the community.”