HOUSTON — It's the season of gratitude and feasts, but putting together a Thanksgiving meal this year could strain your wallet.
According to a recent survey from Lending Tree, the average cost of hosting a meal is up 19% from last year, costing a family about $431 for Thanksgiving food, drinks, and decorations.
The survey goes on to say 60% of people surveyed said inflation is impacting their holiday celebrations.
It’s why donation events like the one Watkins Supermarket, a staple grocery store in the Sunnyside community, held Saturday morning mean so much.
The store gave away hundreds of turkeys and other food items to seniors in the area.
A line wrapped around the parking lot as people patiently waited for the store's third annual turkey giveaway, with some getting in line as early as two hours before the event, including Mary B. Ford, She was the fist in line.
"This beautiful ham, and I probably wouldn't have bought a ham even though we love ham, the cost of ham is a bit much,” she told KHOU 11’s Michelle Choi, who said in return “It's gone up this year, so it came just in time, right?”
“Yes, just in time, just in time,” Ford said.
Ham wasn't the only thing Mrs. Ford, who has lived in Sunnyside since 1967, was grateful for. She was also thankful for her community grocery store which has been serving residents in this area for over 50 years.
"Thanksgiving time when you're trying to share and give, it helps when the community store remembers the people that have patronized them,” Ford said.
With rising costs, putting together a Thanksgiving spread is harder than ever, especially for seniors.
"As soon as you pay your bills, you've got nothing left,” said James Edward Robbins, who we also met in line.
It's one of the many reasons why the family-owned supermarket said they carve out the time and space to support their customers.
"Being able to do this means a lot to us, a lot of our patrons here are senior citizens that grew up in this area,” said Karen Huynh with Watkins Supermarket. "It warms my heart because they give us so much and we want to give back."
In total, more than 250 seniors walked away with Thanksgiving food staples like turkey, ham, dirty rice, desserts and more.
"It means a lot. It helps you save a little for Thanksgiving and have a better Thanksgiving,” Ford said.
It's an act of kindness seniors who attended said they won’t forget.
"Oh, it's a blessing, blessing what they're doing for the people,” Robbins said.
Watkins Supermarket said they plan to hold the annual turkey give-away event in the years to come for as long as they can.