NEW JERSEY — Highest inflation in decades means thousands of families can’t afford Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners this year.
In 2021, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 guests was $53.31 according to the Survey by the American Federation of Farm Bureau. Despite being able to feed each person for less than $6, last year’s Thanksgiving saw a 14% increase in price over 2020. Two years into the pandemic, Thanksgiving dinner will see another cost increase.
In recent decades, the average annual increase in food supplies has been between 2% and 4%, according to federal government estimates.
In September, the consumer price index, which measures price changes from the consumer’s perspective, revealed that “food at home” prices were up 13 percent over the previous 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compared to last year, September also saw an 8.5% price increase in the producer price index, which measures price change from a seller’s perspective.
The outlook looks dire for low-income families, but in New Jersey, there are options.
Several churches and community organizations in the Garden State will be giving away turkeys, dinners and food on the eve of the celebration.
Senior citizens, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and other vulnerable residents also benefit.
Visit the New Jersey 211 system portal to register your address and locate churches and organizations in your area that will be holding activities and distributing food.
THESE ARE SOME ORGANIZATIONS READY TO HELP FAMILIES
It hands out seasonal food baskets each year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Browns Mills, 378 Lakehurst Road Location
378 Lakehurst Rd
Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Sponsor activities for Plainfield residents in need throughout the season, including food and gifts. Priority is given to the elderly, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children under 12. It also distributes winter clothing.
510 Watchung Ave 1st floor
Plainfield, NJ 07060
Give Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and gifts to people in need.
380 S Van Brunt St, Englewood NJ
380 S Van Brunt St
Englewood, New Jersey 07631
4. Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Consortium
It offers Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gift assistance to Irvington residents in need.
Main office
346 16th Ave
Irvington, New Jersey 07111
It offers Thanksgiving and Christmas programs for individuals and families in need.
180 Newman Springs Road,
Red Bank NJ
NJ 07701
6. Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton – Community Services
It offers Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and meals to families in need.
Mercer County Office
132N Warren St
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
Burlington County Office
450 veterans Dr
Burlington, New Jersey 08016
Distribute Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to people in need. Macaroni and cheese, tuna, cranberry sauce, canned mashed potatoes, Dinty Moore beef stew, and canned soups are among the items.
1500 Federal St,
Camden NJ
08105
8. Salvation Army – Camden Kroc Center
It offers Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gift assistance to community members in need.
The Salvation Army – Camden Kroc Center
1865 Harrison Ave
Camden, NJ 08105
9. St. James Social Services Society
Provides Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and toys for children in needy families. A hot meal is served the day after Thanksgiving and at Christmas.
604 Dr Martin Luther King Blvd,
NJ 07102
Give Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets to people in need.
306 Morris Ave
Summit, NJ 07901
11. Catholic Church of Sant’Antonio da Padova
Turkeys, hams, and holiday pies are offered during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Viale Bartholdi 65
Butler, NJ 07405
12. Refuge House of Prayer Church of God
Distributes Christmas toys to Toms River children in need through the Toys for Tots program and private donations. Teens get clothes. Coats and small food baskets are available for all ages. He also gave away a Thanksgiving food basket to those in need.
1186 Lakewood Rd
Toms River, NJ 08753
13. Rise Community Services Partnership
Provides individuals and families in need with a program of holiday gifts and Thanksgiving turkeys.
116N Main St
Hightstown, NJ 08520
14. East Orange / Orange Community Development Society
The assistance program is available to individuals and families living in East Orange, Orange, South Orange or West Orange. Programs include Thanksgiving food baskets and holiday toy distributions for children ages 1 to 12.
37 Evergreen pl
East Orange, NJ 07018
Provides Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas baskets and Christmas gifts to residents in need.
72 Eyland Ave
Succasunna, NJ 07876
16. South Plainfield Social Services
It runs a Thanksgiving food program and a Christmas gift program for needy residents of South Plainfield.
90 Maple Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
17. Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton – Burlington County Community Services
Offers a gift distribution program for families in need. The agency also provides Thanksgiving baskets for those in need of food to celebrate the day.
450 veterans Dr
Burlington, New Jersey 08016
18. Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton – Ocean County Community Services
It offers Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas baskets for children up to 12 years old.
200 Monmouth Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701
19. Salvation Army – Bridgeton
Help families with Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gifts.
29 W Commerce Street
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302
It provides food assistance and childcare items to people in need. It also offers nutrition education, cooking classes, free school supplies, Thanksgiving baskets, and referrals to other types of assistance like furniture, eyewear, and medical care.
2 Director Dr
Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950
21. Readington Council Social Services
It provides food assistance to people in need on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
509 Route 523
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Open here to locate other organizations in New Jersey.
Open here to locate events in New York.
