Every year, families gather to celebrate different holidays together. A big part of the holidays is sharing a meal together at the dinner table.
On Oct. 1, 2025, the federal government of the United States began a shutdown due to Republicans and Democrats not being able to agree to pass a bill funding government services. It was the longest government shutdown in history, ending on Nov. 12, 2025.
SNAP benefits were paused Nov. 1, 2025, as an outcome of the shutdown. SNAP benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a program that provides low-income families with monthly funds to buy groceries. This is a problem for the 12% of citizens relying on SNAP benefits to feed their families on a daily basis, according to the Department of Agriculture. The pause took place right as the holidays were approaching, which posed a problem for already struggling families.
Some families look forward to Thanksgiving every year to reconnect with extended family. Taking on extra people for Thanksgiving will cost more money, which will be hard for people to afford on SNAP benefits. Some families might not even partake in the holiday this year due to not having enough money to put on a big fancy meal. This could be the same for Christmas, and so on until the government resumes SNAP benefits. According to a survey done by LendingTree, about 2,050 U.S. consumers, which could be potential Thanksgiving hosts, plan to spend an average of $431 on Thanksgiving food and drinks. 36% admit that doing so puts a financial strain on them. With the loss of SNAP benefits, this furthers the strain put on them.
However, businesses are realizing this is a problem. This year, Aldi put out a suggested shopping list that consumers can follow, and you’ll end up with a full Thanksgiving meal for $40. This feeds about 10 people and is around $4 per person.
Families can shop this list in-person or online on Aldi’s official website. Prices may vary at different Aldi locations, but overall, it should be $40 or a little more. This suggested shopping list includes a full turkey, sides, and dessert. To save even more money, families can take off items that you won’t use or want. They can also buy less of everything on the list if they don’t have 10people to feed.
If you don’t want to follow this list, there are more suggested lists from other grocery stores you can shop from. Stores such as Walmart for $40 that feed 10 people and Target for under $25 that feed four. You can find everything you need on their official website. Costco is also offering Thanksgiving meal kits for $40, which everything is already premade, so you all have to do isreheat it.
Baker’s doesn’t offer any Thanksgiving meal deals, but one thing they do offer is Thanksgiving recipes which you can follow for an inexpensive price. The official Baker’s website also allows you to buy the specific ingredients you need for the recipe of your choice.
If grocery stores aren’t your route, there are tons of food pantries around Omaha giving out Thanksgiving meals to struggling families or people in need. Pantries such as Heartland Hope Mission, FaithWorks Pantry and the Salvation Army are only some examples of the many in the city.
