How you can help people put food on the table this Thanksgiving

All right, welcome back. Jillian Hartman joining us now. Jillian, we are We know Thanksgiving, excuse me, is going to be here soon. People are going to put food on the table, but some families might be struggling to make that meal even happen here. So bills are rising. It's hard to make ends meet. So what can people at home do to help? Well, the Houston Food Bank tells me that these rising costs put extra pressure on people, especially during the holidays across our region. And they mentioned that they are actually helping more families this year compared to last year. So we know that food is a major need. And they tell me that Housing and utility costs are also a growing concern. Here's what they told me. Families are always having to make hard choices between things like rent, medicine, utilities, with food, it's a flexible resource. And so, You can go without, you can water down milk, or you can buy less nutritious food. But at a certain point, all of the different tactics you're trying to put food on the table may not work. And we want families to make use of the resources that the Houston Food Bank has to offer. We actually cover an 18-county area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria. All the way up to San Jacinto, Trinity, and Liberty. So we have a pretty wide service area. And we also work with smaller regional food banks in Galveston, Montgomery, and the Brazos Valley area. So that they can meet the needs of their communities. Food is... Always a resource, of course, that we're contacted about, but people are also reaching out for resources around housing, rental assistance, and to pay their utilities. So the food bank also mentioned that while many people reach out for help with groceries, the organization says it's also hearing from families who are falling behind on rent and utility bills. And for some families, that means making difficult decisions about which bills to pay first. Harris County has one of the highest eviction rates in the country. And so people are really desperate for rental assistance, so they don't end up in a position where they have to find a different. Source of housing. So, you know, we we definitely work with United Way and the 211 system so families can try and find access. We can refer them to organizations that provide that kind of assistance calls for utilities, not being able to afford utilities or their water, electricity being about to. To cut off is also a call we receive and so we have tight knit relationships with different organizations, nonprofits around the community that we can refer people to. But we always encourage folks, whether your need is food or not, you can always call 211 and they will help navigate you to the right resource. Yeah, it's really hurtful to see so many families still struggling on so many fronts, right? Food, rent, utilities, gas. But what can folks at home do to help? It's the holiday season. I know folks typically feel good this time of year, right? And if you're in a position to help, this is a good opportunity to do that. Yeah, so they say that people can make a difference by donating or volunteering. And if you or someone you know really is struggling to afford groceries, rent, gas, utilities, there are resources available. So that information is right now on our website, fox26houston.com. All right, you guys, if you can. I know it's tough, but if you can, this is a good resource and a good time to help. All right, Julie, thank you so much.