By Ted Hayes

With Thanksgiving swiftly approaching, workers at the Westport Food Pantry anticipate the busiest season yet for the non-profit working to reduce hunger in Westport and the Southcoast area.

Last year, pantry workers distributed 200 turkeys and 40 gift cards to 240 area families who requested help for the holiday. But they expect to shatter that number this year. With a week to go before Thanksgiving, 420 families have already requested help and, due to sourcing and storage constraints, pantry workers expect to distribute at least 268 turkeys and no fewer than 152 gift cards to families that request them instead.

Demand for the pantry’s services skyrocketed after the recent federal governmental closure and the suspension of SNAP benefit, which have since been restored.

Du

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