Regional Food Bank Plans Largest Thanksgiving Meal Distribution in New York

The Regional Food Bank is preparing for its largest Thanksgiving meal distribution ever, aiming to provide roughly 350,000 meals across a 23-county area in New York, serving up to 75,000 people at 21 distribution sites. This effort includes delivering holiday meals to senior citizen sites and represents the biggest single-day distribution in the state, highlighting the increased demand and food insecurity in the region. Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci emphasized the ongoing need for volunteers, especially amid concerns about federal cuts to food security programs like SNAP. Similarly, the Montana Food Bank Network has expanded its capacity significantly with a new facility, allowing it to triple storage space and increase volunteer hosting, enabling distribution of six semi-loads of frozen turkeys and more fresh produce and dairy this holiday season. These developments reflect a broader commitment to addressing hunger through increased resources, volunteer efforts, and expanded meal distributions during the Thanksgiving period. Walmart's annual Thanksgiving meals, launched in 2022, continue to be a holiday staple, complementing these larger food bank initiatives.