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SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – Thanksgiving is right around the corner and different Sioux Falls organizations are working to make sure everyone can celebrate.

Organizations like Feeding South Dakota do an annual Thanksgiving giveaway to help families celebrate with a traditional meal.

However, Feeding South Dakota Director of Marketing and Communications Stacey Andernacht says they are giving away an extra thousand meals this year than in a normal year to keep up with the increased demand.

“We just know that this year there are more families looking for these groceries than last year, so this Saturday, fifteen hundred meals will be given in Sioux Falls and Rapid City to families who might not normally be able to put it on the table. said Stacey Andernacht, Feeding South Dakota.

She says this is largely due to rising costs, especially for groceries.

“Inflation is really what has an impact on this, families that normally wouldn’t be using our program just need to find a way to help stretch their grocery budget,” Andernacht said.

Lt. Katrina Andrews of the Salvation Army in Sioux Falls says that increased demand is also being seen through her Thanksgiving gifts this year.

“The need has really increased this year, especially because of the pandemic. People are really struggling right now to try to provide a basic meal day to day,” said Lt. Katrina Andrews of the Salvation Army of Sioux Falls.

They say they also had to plan more meals for their giveaways this Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of the need.

“We actually served over seven hundred families during the year just for Thanksgiving just to have a hot meal,” Andrews said.

For more information on how you can donate or volunteer this holiday season, you can follow the links to The Salvation Army of Sioux Falls, South Dakota or Feeding South Dakota

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