BOISE, Idaho — More than half of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck, according to a CNBC survey.
To make sure families across the Treasure Valley are still able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a traditional holiday meal, St. Vincent de Paul hands out meals through its Thanksgiving Food Box Program.
With more Treasure Valley neighbors in need, there's no time like the holidays to spread a little spirit - and support for others.
"That's what the holidays are all about," St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Idaho Executive Director Ralph May said. "Being generous with our neighbors, caring about our neighbors, and being a community."
About 600 volunteers from our community came together for the 47th annual Thanksgiving Food Box Program, which is giving away 2700 turkeys and boxes of food.
"In two days, we're going to give away almost $200,000 worth of food to our neighbors here in the Treasure Valley," May said.
To make sure anyone who wants a Thanksgiving meal can have one.
"It's something that we look forward to every year," May said. "Just because of that outpouring of generosity, that outpouring of care for their neighbors out there that may be struggling for Thanksgiving."
This is one of the busiest years the program has seen, with more demand for meals and services due to inflation, rising costs of goods, and SNAP program adjustments.
"It's nice if on Thanksgiving, we don't have to worry about whether we have enough money to buy food or not," May said. "It's nice that neighbors here in the Treasure Valley care enough about their neighbors to ensure that's the case."
Community members, churches and local business collected food for this year's program - part of a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
"It's a wonderful thing," May said. "It's something that for me is almost magical - that people feel that in their hearts, and they're willing to sacrifice a little to help their neighbor in need. And it's very much a family-to-family kind of event."
The Thanksgiving Food Box Program continues on Tuesday. For anyone who missed out on registering, food boxes will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. at Expo Idaho.
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