WACO, TX — The need for food is growing in Waco as families who have struggled through the pandemic are stretched thin for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thankfully there are organizations like Caritas of Waco that help anyone who finds themselves in tough times.
Last Thanksgiving, Caritas was able to hand out turkeys to local families. This holiday, however, they still haven't secured turkeys or other holiday favorites.
So the organization is asking for help from the community so they can give back to people who rely on Caritas.
"It's kinda rough being homeless right now. You do what you can do to try to find work and try to survive," said Michael Garrett, a homeless man in Waco.
Garrett says one of the biggest struggles is finding food for Thanlsgiving dinner.
"Not just homeless people, but everybody should enjoy and deserves a meal with their families," said Virginia Melendez, a volunteer at Caritas.
"You know holiday meals are expensive, and for a lot of our families, it's just not in the budget to provide a holiday meal for their families," said Alicia Jalla, a co-executive director with Caritas of Waco.
Jalla says Caritas serves over 10,000 people every month through a drive-thru service.
"I'm so grateful to have Caritas in my life man, and they provides me with the food and the clothing and stuff that I need. So I'm very grateful to have them a part of my life," said Garrett.
The pandemic, at times, has tripled the amount of people that rely on Caritas, and the organization is in need of turkey and other Thanksgiving donations to help with the holiday rush.
"They have to make really hard judgment calls on do you pay the electric bill or do you provide a meal, and a lot of times they can't do that meal," said Jalla.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Caritas hopes they can load up cars with turkeys and other holiday favorites.
"If people would give a little bit... I know it's rough, but the more you give, the more it'll help somebody else out that don't have anything at all," said Garrett.
Caritas says what they provide Thanksgiving week will entirely depend on what they have in stock.
They will be closed Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving so staff can spend time with their families.
If you'd like to make a food donation, you can drop it off at their location at 300 s 15th Street in Waco.
Financial donations can be mailed in or made online.
