BRYAN, Texas — We are one week from Thanksgiving and people are planning their meals and getting ready to set their tables, but as they hit the stores many are seeing the rise in prices shopping for the holiday feast. Yet, despite the hardships one Bryan woman is preparing to dress up the community with free meals for all this holiday.
Many decades ago, Bryan native, Gloria Kennard had a vision to help those in need throughout the BCS community. That vision eventually became a small gesture of kindness that blossomed into a feast for the next two decades. This will be Kennard's 35th year hosting the effort through her church, Pleasant Grove Baptist in Bryan. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thanksgiving meals will be passed out on Thanksgiving Day for all to enjoy.
According to Kennard, all her costs to make the meals went up due to inflation and she's not the only one. In the past two years, grocery prices have skyrocketed nearly 17% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite, a 2023 estimate yet to be released, the Consumer Price Index shows at-home food prices up by 2.4%.
According to Kennard turkeys, sweet potatoes, thanksgiving sweets, and sodas were the most impacted by the price hikes, but Kennard isn't letting inflation stop her. She's making the entire feast, turkey, ham, collard greens, mac and cheese, potato salad, and sweet potato pie. However, she's begun preparing earlier than usual by making certain dishes now and then storing them for later.
"It's a lot of stuff that's already been prepared because of the costs of food, and I believe attendance will be very very high this year because people are hurting," Kennard said.
Inflation or not Kennard hopes to keep feeding families one turkey at a time, for decades to come.
"So just mark your calendar and just come on out, and I will be at the church on Wednesday the 22nd, from 11'clock to 4, making preparations for you to have a nice Thanksgiving meal," said Kennard.
All are welcome to get a plate and if you miss it, Ms. Kennard says she will have one waiting for you at her house. Just reach out to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Facebook.