Today marks the 47th annual City Wide Club Super Feast at the George R. Brown Convention Center, one of the largest Thanksgiving feeding and turkey distribution events in the country, and organizers say the need this year is unlike anything they’ve seen before.
The Super Feast, which hands out hot Thanksgiving meals and groceries to Houston’s underserved communities, typically serves more than 25,000 families each year with the help of more than 6,000 volunteers.
But this Thanksgiving, organizers say recent cuts to SNAP benefits and widespread job losses are driving a dramatic spike in food insecurity.
They’re now expecting double the number of families they normally serve, putting unprecedented pressure on food supplies.
Around 7 a.m., thousands of volunteers will begin filling the halls of the George R. Brown Convention Center to prepare for the massive outreach effort.
But despite the turnout, organizers say they’re critically short on frozen turkeys and non-perishable food, and they’re urging the community to step in to help make sure no family is turned away.
Food donations can be dropped off directly at the convention center starting this morning.
Organizers say volunteers are still needed as well; anyone who wants to help can simply show up and sign in.