Thanksgiving is a celebration of family and food, and a typical American thanksgiving usually involves a large turkey, football, and pumpkin pie. However, for some families and students tight budgets and limited incomes can prevent people from celebrating.
SFCC’s food bank, located in building 17 across from the rec-center, is always available to help students in need. They’re accessible Monday through Friday 9-5p. Students who wish to access this resource can visit the food bank up to three times a quarter, and only need a school ID or valid picture ID.
“Monday is the best day to come in, if you need food,” said SFCC food bank worker Dominick Betts. “We receive our shipments on Monday and have the most food then.”
The food bank serves 15 students per week on average, and each student is allowed up to thirteen and a half pounds of food depending on their family size.
The SFCC food bank is also having a turkey dinner giveaway. The school is giving out 25 baskets of Thanksgiving goodies, including a turkey and all the fixings to the winners of the drawing. To enter into the drawing students must donate two cans of food (not from the food bank) in order to put their name into the raffle. Winners will be notified by food bank staff.
Second Harvest food bank is one of the biggest in Spokane, and they will also be giving out Thanksgiving themed food items to needy families. “They give out the best food,” said Michelle Harris, SFCC student. “Every other food bank in town doesn’t have as great of a selection of food.”
In Spokane, local grocery chain Rosauers hosts Tom’s Turkey Drive every year with KREM-2, in order to help the less fortunate in Spokane have a Thanksgiving dinner.
According to KREM-2’s website, Toms Turkey Drive raised approximately $100,000 dollars which provided 10,000 meals to needy families. The meals are distributed by the Salvation Army and given to families here in the Inland Northwest.
If there is any money and or food left over after holiday needs are met, Rosauers gives the excess to 2nd Harvest food bank. This program is a way for the less fortunate in our community.
The school’s food bank does expect to have an influx of students needing food with the holidays coming up.