SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Volunteers gathered outside of the Scranton Cultural Center for the Friends of the Poor and the Catherine McAuley Center’s 49th Annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution.
With the holiday almost here, the Friends of the Poor and the Catherine McAuley Center have worked together to provide meals for families and community members in need for decades.
Organizers said this year’s large turnout only strengthened their mission to ensure no one goes hungry this Thanksgiving.
Meghan Loftus, CEO of Friends of the Poor and the Catherine McAuley Center, said their 49-year tradition of distributing precooked Thanksgiving meals reflects a longstanding mission to support the community and help families preserve their holiday traditions.
“It actually predates our agency by ten years, because when our founder, Sister Adrienne, came back to Scranton after teaching in other states, it was the first thing she did when she noticed there were a lot of residents who didn’t have anyone to share Thanksgiving with. So, she started that year in 1976, I believe, with 24 meals. And today, between what we’re handing out here at the Cultural Center and what we did with our partners at Meals on Wheels, we’ll do 5,975 meals,” said Loftus.
With families cycling on and off SNAP benefits this year, Loftus said the strain is being felt on both sides of the food-assistance system.
“Across the board, things are a little more difficult for people this year. We see a lot more people needing our services daily and a lot less people able to help. And so, what we see a lot of today, is there a lot more people out giving us their time who maybe weren’t able to donate this year, but it also does unfortunately mean there’s more people who need the food,” said Loftus.
“And so, at our food pantries, normally we’d serve around 5,000 families a month. We’re at the point where we’re doing 2,000 to 2,200 a week. So, the need is just really increased,” said Loftus.
Loftus said the meal distribution eases the financial strain of the holiday, giving families a moment of relief.
“And around the holidays, we always mentioned that it’s an extra expense most people can’t budget for. Turkeys are very expensive. You know, to make this meal yourself would be very, very expensive and outside most people’s budget,” said Loftus.
“So, this is just a little gift from the community to all of our friends and neighbors in need. And it’s hopefully just going to take that stress off them for one night so that they can enjoy the same meal that the rest of us will with our families,” said Loftus.
On November 26, outside of the Scranton Cultural Center, there will be a Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, featuring turkeys and fresh produce.