Turkey Week was here at last. At 9 am on Monday, Nov. 18 when the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) food distribution center opened, the line of clients with shopping bags, rolling carts and extra hands was already down the block. Jolie Smith, AFAC chief development officer said, “Normally there is a line down the block but when it’s Turkey Week, it doesn’t stop.”

The needy families who come to AFAC for supplemental groceries receive a protein selection, eggs, milk, fresh

fruit and vegetables, bread, beans or pasta and a choice of canned staples. But during Turkey Week, they also receive a turkey or a chicken.

Charlie Meng, CEO of AFAC, says the number of families served by AFAC has soared to 4,000 weekly, the highest ever, and AFAC ordered 3,900 turkeys and 500 chickens this year. He explained that many older people prefer chickens because they are easier to handle. And the good news is that Turkey Week is actually giving out turkeys again this year since last year due to financial constraints everyone received a chicken instead. But Meng explains that turkeys are $1.01 cent a pound cheaper this year than last.

Due to the pressures of the economy and increasing number of families served, AFAC has been overspending its budget in the last couple of years. Meng says that he wrote to the County Board in early October 2024 with an update outlining the highest number of families ever served—183,558. This is a 30.5 percent increase over 2023, which had seen a 29.4 percent increase over 2022. In FY 2023 AFAC overspent its purchased food budget by $664,929 and last year overspent the purchased food budget by another $1 million. In September, AFAC served 5,444 unique families made up of 13,784 individuals, of whom 3,173 were children.

On the second day of Turkey Week, Meng received word that the County had allocated AFAC $750,000 of the County’s 2024 close out funds. “This will go a long way to solve the problem.” Meng says last year AFAC got several unexpected estate gifts allowing them to balance the budget. “People in this community are exceedingly supportive.” But he explains, “Someone saved us last year, and the County saved us this year but this just shifts the worry to next year.”

AFAC donation boxes are everywhere you look around Arlington for collection of non-perishable food. AFAC has a list on their website of most requested items including canned tuna, tomatoes, beans, soups, peanut butter and cereal. “We offer different kinds of dried beans since varying cultures have their preferences.” Meng says AFAC likes to get monetary donations since they need specific foods to offer and are able to buy food in quantities less expensively. But some things are too expensive to buy like peanut butter and cereal. “There are a lot of kids, and cereal flies off the shelves.”

Smith says, “We keep overspending but we won’t turn anyone away. So far, we’ve made it, knock on wood.” She explains that we have a solid base of people giving money, and they are giving more. “We are lucky. I think people understand food. They go to the grocery store and they see the grocery prices. People give more when they hurt themselves.”

Two more days of Turkey Week but the need will continue. Meng predicts the number of families served may reach 4,400 during the holiday season. To contribute, afac.org.