By Jenna MacDermant
As Americans gear up for Thanksgiving, securing a turkey for the table has become more challenging than ever, compounded by the recent federal government shutdown and escalating food prices.
In a heartwarming tradition, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens distributed hundreds of turkeys and chickens ahead of the holiday, providing a vital lifeline to those in need across the diocese.
Clergy emphasized the importance of these free birds, with Deacon Jean noting, “Any help that we can provide the communities in any sense. We’re going to have as many as we can, but the more we have and the more people we could help.”
Yet, this year, the path to a traditional Thanksgiving meal extends far beyond the kitchen. The 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, which ended on November 12, 2025, strained food pantries like St. John’s Bread & Life, already grappling with a nearly $1 million shortfall in government funding.
Sister Marie Sorenson, SC, Associate Executive Director at St. John’s Bread & Life, described the situation as “a crisis that we’re in, and I think we’re not seeing the end of it yet.”
The shutdown’s ripple effects hit hard, particularly through the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which aids nearly 42 million Americans. Benefits expired for millions in November, leaving federal workers unpaid and food insecurity soaring.
Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary of The Washington Post highlighted the ongoing struggle: “For many families, they’re still struggling to put food on their table and keep their roof over their heads.”
Grocery prices have compounded the crisis, rising nearly 3% (2.7%) from last September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report.
Staples essential to Thanksgiving dinners—potatoes, meats, fresh vegetables, and bakery products—have all seen increases. Tariffs further inflated costs for imported goods like wine, with one store reporting 5-12% hikes this year.
Amid the challenges, a glimmer of relief emerged on Friday when President Donald Trump signed an executive order retroactively lowering tariffs on key agricultural imports, including beef, tomatoes, coffee, bananas, and other products.
The move aims to ease the burden on consumers facing these elevated prices.As families navigate these obstacles, organizations like Catholic Charities continue to step in, ensuring that the spirit of Thanksgiving endures despite the hardships.