Tarrant Area Food Bank prepared to feed needy families ahead of Thanksgiving

Food banks across the country are reporting shortages ahead of the holiday season partially because of higher prices and supply chain problems.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Food banks across the country are reporting shortages ahead of the holiday season partially because of higher prices and supply chain problems.

But the Tarrant Area Food Bank says it planned ahead and is ready to serve North Texans — at least through Thanksgiving.

Last year, the TAFB fed 10,000 families in a single day at the AT&T Stadium giveaway. This year, they expect to exceed that number with local donations keeping their shelves stocked for now.

Aisles of stocked shelves at the TAFB are a good sign with just one week to go before Thanksgiving.

It kicked off its week of Thanksgiving events on Tuesday with a visit from musician Leon Bridges and TCU Football Coach Gary Patterson. Along with volunteers, the pair helped load Thanksgiving meals onto vans headed to local churches.

TAFB President and CEO Julie Butner says they’re prepared for the holiday thanks to donors in the DFW area, one of which just donated 10,000 chickens.

Butner’s goal is to make sure families already struggling don’t feel the additional strain of certain product shortages.

"Even though we have a lot of chickens this year, we don’t have all that many turkeys this year," she said. "So we’re having to augment the turkey with the chicken to get people fed over the Thanksgiving holiday."

Last year, the TAFB saw large numbers of first-time families in need hit hard by layoffs and unemployment during the pandemic.

This year, Butner says they’re expecting to see more first-timers but for different reasons.

"I totally think that inflation is hurting us. The cost of living is hurting us right now. Housing shortages are hurting us right now," she said.

Looking ahead to the next 60 to 90 days, Butner is mostly concerned about produce and protein that are becoming difficult to come by.

And while Thanksgiving meals may be taken care of, Butner says they have to brace themselves for the possibility of sudden shortages just before Christmas.

"It’s just three or four weeks after Thanksgiving," she said. "It comes quick. We’re already making plans to make sure we have enough food for families at Christmas time."

TAFB has several giveaways this week, including one for military families on Wednesday and the mega mobile market event on Thursday at AT&T Stadium. On Friday, they’ll be at the Como Community Center.