TEMPLE, Texas — While many families are planning their own Thanksgiving dinners, Feed My Sheep Executive Director Jeff Stegall is preparing to serve 600 to 700 people on the holiday, more than triple the organization's daily average.

"We average 175 to 200 every day," Stegall said. "So it's quite an increase, but for us, the thing is Thanksgiving is big. That does matter, but the day after Thanksgiving, we're gonna serve 200 people. The day after that we'll serve 200 again every day out of the year."

The nonprofit has maintained that consistency since 2010, never missing a single meal, 365 days a year, he says. But this year presents unique challenges.

With the lengthy government shutdown leaving many Central Texans without SNAP benefits for days, the demand continues to grow.

"Cost of

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