More Local Families In Need This Thanksgiving
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Winnie Alvarez said without Regional Inter-Faith Association’s Thanksgiving meal, she doesn’t know what her family would eat for the holiday. “We would have hunger pains and that’s for sure,” Alvarez said. She and hundreds of other families in the area are in more need this holiday season; and according to RIFA officials, it shows in the number of families they’ve served this week. “It’s cold outside and people have seen decreases in food stamps so there is an increase in need for our services,” Lisa Tillman, Executive Director at RIFA, said. Alvarez, who lives with her mom, five kids, and takes care of disabled relatives, said she saw a cutback in her federal aid, making it hard to buy food this month, especially for Thanksgiving. “I have no income and only get $163 a month and that doesn’t go far,” Alvarez said. According to RIFA there are more families that they’ve ever seen before in the same situation. “It’s been very hectic,” Tillman said. “Normally on average we serve 150 a day, but that reached 274 this week.” RIFA officials said as the need from more families increases, they hope they can always help, especially around the holidays.
