PDCincy aims to ease financial stress so families can share Thanksgiving meals together

Project Downtown Cincinnati was created in 2008, and since its inception, volunteers have distributed tens of thousands of meals to individuals who are hungry and in need.
 
The nonprofit has grown steadily throughout the years and now has about 60 individuals involved—all of whom do their part to ensure lunch bags are prepped and shared each week.
 
In addition to its weekly service, PDCincy extends its efforts during the holidays; so for the third straight year, it will host the Feeding Our Neighbors food drive to provide Thanksgiving meals to more than 100 families.
 
For PDCincy’s co-director Farihah Ibrahim, distributing Dinner Kits been a learning opportunity, in that “there is no ‘typical’ family in need,” she says. “Everybody has a unique and often surprising story.”
 
Many of the families served never imagined they would be in their current position of need, so providing them the means to cook a meal together and share the experience of giving with one another—without having to worry about finding the funds to purchase a turkey or other side items and desserts—is huge, Ibrahim says.
 
“It brings them back to normal,” Ibrahim says. “Even if it's just for one meal, the Dinner Kits take that stress away. It takes the focus away from the money and back to their families.” 

Do Good:

•    Support the Feeding Our Neighbors Thanksgiving food drive by donating.

•    Learn about PDCincy's weekly service, and contact the nonprofit if you'd like to get involved. 

•    Connect with PDCincy on Instagram and Twitter.
 
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Read more articles by Brittany York.

Brittany York is a college educator, freelance writer, and the event producer for Ohio Civics Essential. She loves travel and photography. Keep up with Brittany on Instagram @brittbrittbrittbrittany.