Aurelia Suchilt, a mother of three, traveled from the Bronx to the Madre Cabrini organization on the Lower East Side to find her Thanksgiving dinner.
“Two hours, eventually, the traffic, well we came by train but what you expect, you walk from one station to another and everything but we already have the turkey for our Thanksgiving,” said Suchilt.
Aurelia lost her job as an interpreter at Montefiore Hospital during the pandemic. To survive this economic crisis, he has dedicated himself to making crafts to sell and seeking help from organizations like this one.
“And the worst thing is that not all of us have stable jobs, we only have part-time or temporary jobs so we have to be very careful, really have the main thing. The crisis is hitting too hard,” Suchilt added.
Cabrini Immigrant Services is a non-profit organization that provides immigration services and gives food to needy families.
They distribute about 200 boxes of food weekly. Today they gave away 80 turkeys thanks to the City Harvest organization.
“Cabrini Immigrant Services has existed here for 22 years and we have noticed how the need is becoming much stronger in some homes,” explained Sister Yolanda Flores, from Mother Cabrini’s Sacred Heart of Jesus congregation.
The organizers of this pantry say that despite the donation of these turkeys, they cannot provide for all the people who come to look for food during the week.
“It is not enough, but what we have done is look for families with greater need and with a greater number of family members, and these were distributed. We have tried to cover with chicken, fish or other products, “added Sister Flores.
Inflation has also increased the cost of food and other basic goods.
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of food in the family basket has risen more than 5 percent this year, the most drastic rise in the last 20 years.
These data also show an increase of almost 12% in the price of meat, poultry, fish and eggs.
“A turkey that used to cost $ 20 is now worth $ 50, $ 60. It is incredible, we did not know how we were going as we were going to do it, “said a mother of a family.
“With half or less than half I could buy more for a week. Now it’s just for three days or something, “said another neighbor visiting the Cabrini Immigrant Services headquarters.
– .
