Holidays are supposed to be times of reflection, friendship, and joy, but with 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and a federal government that restricts food assistance programs, plenty of people are feeling the squeeze.
Local governments, community organizations, and small businesses are often left to bear the burden of systemic problems such as food insecurity.
The Prairie Trails Public Library in Burbank, for example, hosts a cabinet stocked with food donations from locals at the building’s front entrance. The small but vital food pantry is used daily and was frequented more often than usual during the recent government shutdown, highlighting its value to the community.
In a similar vein, the Burbank Park District hosts an annual turkey dinner giveaway to support locals during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, the Park District needed additional funds to provide their usual 100 turkey giveaways, and the Burbank City Council, Burbank Chamber of Commerce, Five Star Furniture and other local businesses stepped in to fill the gap and expand the program. In the end, the coalition secured 400 frozen turkeys and accompanying food supply packages to give out to neighbors who appreciated the helping hand.
A couple of hundred cars lined up outside Burbank’s Fusion RecPlex to await their free turkeys. While some meals had been reserved in advance, many more were given out on a first come, first served basis thanks to the expanded number of meals available.
Volunteers from the coalition, including Mayor David Gilgenberg II, took turns bringing the frozen turkeys to the cars as they were waved up to the RecPlex entrance.
Community members smiled as they thanked the deliverers for the meals that will brighten their holiday and save them a few extra dollars at a time when we could all use the savings.
With the well-attended event, the Burbank community has brightened holidays and fought food insecurity in the true spirit of giving.
