Nearly 1 in 8 Oregonians struggle with hunger, according to relief group, Feeding America. This morning in Springfield, volunteers and a giant turkey did what they could to help families in need have a holiday meal.
Cars lined up at St. Alice’s Catholic Church, as workers handed out boxes of food.
"Front seat, back seat, ma’am?" asks a volunteer.
“Back seat,” responds a woman driving a small SUV.
The event is organized every year by St. Vincent de Paul. One of the regular staffers is Betty Snowden….
“Gobble gobble gobble!”
Yes, that was her, gobbling. Wearing a turkey costume with long feathers and a big fan tail, she says they’ll hand out over 3,000 boxes this year…she expects the need to increase for some time.
“Some of the folks that you see getting the baskets are people that work jobs, but because of the rent it’s hard to keep up and afford food," says Snowden. "The wages are not keeping up with our - as they say – “prosperous” economy.”
Feeding America says 28 percent of Oregon homes receiving SNAP benefits include children.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.
