Feeding the need this Thanksgiving. In San Jose, Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen saw a record number of people come through the door for a free Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
Nearly 134,000 people in Santa Clara County rely on federally funded food assistance to pay for groceries.
The need this year is tremendous, and David Hott, the CEO of Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen, told NBC Bay Area this year in the first 15 minutes, more people came through the doors than the entire number they served last year.
“The grocery costs are… I was at Walmart and I just bought a few things and it was almost $200. That was hard,” said Karaleen Mork, a Morgan Hill resident.
Mork says she makes just enough at her job that she no longer qualifies for food stamps but still struggles to make ends meet.
“Rent is like 2,000, plus all the other costs, utilities, phone bill, internet, yeah it’s a lot, it adds up,” Mork said.
Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen prepared 650 free meals this year, with help from a team of volunteers.
“The reality is this year unlike others that I’ve experienced, there’s even more need,” Hott said.
A need the nonprofit’s CEO has experienced himself.
“I was in their seat at one time in my life, so I know exactly how the individuals that are getting a meal today feel,” Hott said. “[I’m] grateful that we can help.”
That’s the same reason 28-year-old Cameron Martin drove in from Las Vegas to volunteer this Thanksgiving, paying it forward after he overcame hard times.
“They just want to be loved and they just want to have a family on Thanksgiving and I think it’s really great we can do that for them,” Martin said.
“And we thank you Loaves and Fishes!” said Francisco Giron, a San Jose resident.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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