The Goodman Community Center has announced the registration period for their annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive will take place Oct. 17-28, and once again they’ve set a goal of distributing 4,000 meals this year. With the cost of groceries on the rise, Goodman is expecting high demand once again this year, the 34th year that the center on Madison’s near east side has provided the fixings for families to make full Thanksgiving meals at home.
“The cost of everything is up this year,” said GCC Food Pantry Manager Francesca Frisque in a statement. “We’re feeling it in our food pantry when we place orders, and we know our families are struggling as well. Our Thanksgiving Basket Drive helps ease the burden on families and helps them prepare a holiday meal that might have otherwise been outside their budget.”
Data provided by the Goodman Center’s Fritz Food Pantry show a steady upward trend in pantry usage and people served during the last 12 months. In the last quarter of 2021, the pantry averaged 1,455 people served per month, according to a press release from Goodman, compared to 2,875 people they served in August of this year.
“The need is great right here in our own community,” Frisque said. “We’re seeing people of all walks who need a little extra help right now, including families who are working full-time jobs. They’re having a hard time making ends meet.”
For the first time in a long time, the Goodman Center is expecting the cost of each basket to increase this year, from $70 in previous years to $80. Thus, it will take more money and more help from the whole community to achieve the center’s goal of serving 4,000 families.
“It’s going to take as many people as possible doing as much as they can to bring comfort to thousands of local families,” said Goodman Center CEO Letesha Nelson in a statement. “Last year was my first time experiencing our Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and based on what I witnessed, I have no doubt our community will turn up for our neighbors once again this year.”
Community members who would like to help can make financial donations online here, host a food drive, or volunteer to help with food sorting and distribution. To find more information about Thanksgiving Baskets, click here.
