SEATTLE - Thanksgiving is tomorrow, which means many area food banks are doing all they can today to make sure everyone will be able to celebrate the holiday. That includes St. Vincent de Paul, where they are in the middle of a two day distribution of Thanksgiving food.
The food bank had expected large crowds, but even more people showed up than anticipated. That means they are scrambling to find extra chickens and fixings to give families for their Thanksgiving meal.
Carolyn Stearns is one of clients at the St. Vincent de Paul food bank.
"I can't put the words to it," she said. "It's just great that they're here."
Stearns said she has come to depend on the food bank since the store where she used to work went out of business.
"The loaf of bread I picked up over here is way over $2 in the store," she said. "And I don't have the $2 to get it."
Stearns is just one of the roughly 1,400 people who lined up to get food at St. Vincent de Paul's on Tuesday. That is roughly 400 more people than the food bank had anticipated in its effort to provide everything from stuffing to turkeys and chickens to its clients.
With the line stretching well out the door yesterday, it's clear the food bank will need extra fortifications today.
"We've seen more than a 100 percent increase in the numbers of people since this time last year," said Richard Bray, the director of Donor and Community Relations at St. Vincent de Paul.
Now there is a call out for people to donate more food this morning, as they brace for another busy day. Highest on the list is chicken, which is running dangerously low.
"Do something," said Bray. "If you only have a dollar, give a dollar. If you only have a can of food, give a can of food."
The food bank is located at 5950 4th Avenue South in Seattle. Today they will be distributing food from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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