Thanksgiving Dinner: Las Vegas families in need can get free food items — Here’s date, venue

In an effort to support Las Vegas families in need, the Salvation Army Southern Nevada will host a free Thanksgiving food distribution event at the Walnut Recreation Center, located at 3075 N. Walnut Road, FOX F VEGAS.

The event is scheduled for Monday, November 20, starting at 8 a.m. and will continue until supplies are exhausted.

With the aim of assisting 500 families, the event will provide canned and boxed items along with a turkey or ham for Thanksgiving dinners.

Major Harold Laubach, the Executive Director of the Salvation Army Southern Nevada, emphasised the impact of rising food costs on the community and expressed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can partake in the Thanksgiving tradition of a hearty meal.

Families in need are encouraged to attend the event, and pre-registration is not required. 

The distribution is open to the community on a first-come, first-served basis, offering assistance to those facing challenges due to escalating food expenses.

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner is rising for several reasons. Here are some of the main reasons.

Inflation 

The overall rate of inflation in the United States is currently at a 40-year high, and this is having a ripple effect on the prices of groceries, including Thanksgiving staples like turkey, potatoes, and vegetables.

Supply chain disruptions: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the global supply chain, leading to shortages and higher prices for many goods. This is also affecting the availability and cost of Thanksgiving ingredients.

Labour shortages

The restaurant industry is facing a severe labour shortage, which is driving up wages and making it more expensive to produce and transport food. This is also contributing to the higher cost of Thanksgiving dinner.

Extreme weather events 

Climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather events, such as droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events can damage crops and make it more difficult to harvest them, which leads to higher prices for consumers.

Here is a breakdown of the specific price increases for some of the most common Thanksgiving ingredients:

Turkey 

The price of turkey is expected to be up about 7% this year, with the average 16-pound bird costing around $28.

Potatoes 

The price of potatoes is expected to be up about 11% this year, with the average 5-pound bag costing around $4.

Vegetables: The price of vegetables is expected to be up about 5% this year, with the average 5-pound bag of carrots costing around $3.50.

Butter 

The price of butter is expected to be up about 8% this year, with the average 1-pound block costing around $4.

Eggs 

The price of eggs is expected to be up about 7% this year, with the average dozen costing around $2.50.

Overall, the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is expected to be up about 6% this year. This means that the average family of four will spend around $50 on Thanksgiving dinner, up from $47 last year.