For many, Thanksgiving is a warm, abundant holiday — full of family, traditions, and food. For others, this season brings a different reality: rising grocery costs, tighter budgets, and the stress of making ends meet.
As parents, we have an opportunity, and responsibility, to talk with children about gratitude, community, and the reality of food insecurity without shame or fear.
This is a powerful moment to teach your child that:
- Gratitude and struggle can coexist.
- Families experience the holiday differently.
- Community support is part of what makes the holiday meaningful.
How to Talk to Kids About Food Insecurity Without Fear or Shame
Young Children
- Focus on empathy: “How can we show kindness to others?”
- Encourage small acts of giving: a donated canned item, a shared treat, a
handmade card for a food drive.
Tweens & Teens
- Talk openly about inequality and community.
- Discuss how systemic challenges — like wages, cost of living, and access to
resources — shape people’s experiences. - Encourage them to volunteer, help organize drives, or learn more about hunger
in their community.
Conversation Tips for All Ages
- Avoid saying things that imply fault or shame.
- Answer questions honestly, but gently.
- Make space for your child’s feelings — curiosity, worry, or compassion.
Ways Your Family Can Give Back This Thanksgiving and Holiday Season
Volunteer Together
Help pack holiday meal boxes, sort cans, or assist with distribution at a local food
pantry.
Donate Smart
Money often goes further than food because organizations can buy in bulk or fill gaps.
Engage in Service Projects
Create a family tradition of donating a “holiday meal kit,” contributing to a school food
drive, or choosing a local organization to support.
Practice Gratitude Out Loud
Talk about what your family is thankful for and how you can extend your blessings
beyond your home.
Additional Resources
Trusted resources for families seeking support or wanting to help others this holiday:
- Feeding America – Find Food – Locate nearby food banks, pantries, and
holiday meal programs. - Plentiful App – Helps families find and reserve spots at local food pantries.
- Too Good To Go App – Allows families to buy surplus meals and groceries from
nearby restaurants, bakeries, and stores at a major discount — a budget-
friendly way to stretch resources and reduce food waste during the holidays. - SNAP Application & Eligibility – Information on qualifying and applying in each
state. - Feeding America Advocacy Toolkit – Learn how to support food security
efforts in your community.