Offset hunger in your community this Thanksgiving

November 09, 2009

As Thanksgiving approaches, many families are preparing for the excess and feasting typically associated with the holiday season. This can also be a time to remember that many Americans are struggling to make ends meet this year. Next week marks National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week, so get a few friends together and brainstorm ways to do your part.

You could contribute to your local food pantry by hosting a food drive in your own home. Invite friends and family members over for a dinner party, and ask that each guest brings at least one food item to donate, like canned foods or dry goods. Keep meal costs low so that you can invite plenty of people - this is the perfect time to make a giant lasagna, a pasta dish or a pizza.


Another way to help offset hunger is by adopting a more sustainable diet. Meat-free diets allow for more food to go around - the grains that are fed to a factory farmed animal could be used to feed hungry people. Vegetarian diets also tend to be cheaper. If you decide to go veg for a month or even just for the week, calculate how much money you save on groceries, and donate that amount back to a local charitable organization.