Thanksgiving turkeys were distributed to Mecklenburg County’s food pantries Wednesday as Loaves & Fishes prepares to feed more than 5,000 people for the holiday.
The agency released a study this week showing that it saw a 14 percent increase in clients seeking help from the county’s 19 food pantries during the past year.
In the past 12 months, Loaves & Fishes fed nearly 12,000 people a month, many of whom were struggling due to joblessness lasting for a year or longer.
Loaves & Fishes expects to feed a total of 125,000 by the end of the year, compared to 114,177 in 2011.
