PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – Local food pantries are preparing to serve more families than ever this Thanksgiving, with Peoria Friendship House seeing increased demand despite growing community support.

The organization and its partners are expanding their turkey donations from 250 to 300 to meet the need. CEO Marcellus Sommerville tells 25 News the situation reflects struggles seen during the pandemic, with families finding it hard to put food on the table.

“It’s been a challenge. We’ve had to pivot several times over the last few weeks just in terms of how we get food in without breaking the bank in terms of budget,” Sommerville says. “I think the saying is, ‘we have enough people in the room to figure it out,’ and we’re trying to figure it out.”

Friendship House will distribute Thanksg

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