November 17, 2025
Thanksgiving Memories
I still remember waking up as a child and the house smelling like turkey. A crisp November, Kentucky morning with frost on the windows. The house filled with smells of cooking, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on TV, the sound of laughter and love as the day passed into the evening.
It’s memories such as this that make Thanksgiving a favorite holiday for so many. While the dinner was great, it’s the family and friends that make the day special. I have to admit it brings a tear to my eye to think of those I have lost since those days, but I am thankful for those  memories.
This Thanksgiving, I hope we all take stock of the blessings in our life. Even though we face complicated issues, we still have much to be thankful for. Being union members, we have union contracts that give us a voice at the bargaining table. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union members average 15% more in pay and benefits than their nonunion counterparts. We need to continue to work to raise the standard of living for all Americans.
The working-class Americans are finding the cost of their Thanksgiving meal higher than last year. Inflation is making it harder for families to make ends meet. According to Feeding America, nationwide, 20% of all children are food insecure with the number reaching 50% in some rural areas. The United States government has cancelled their own hunger studies, but that doesn’t change the fact that more and more Americans are finding themselves not having enough to eat. The south has 9 out of 10 of the most food insecure counties, while southern politicians support efforts to reduce food assistance to the most vulnerable of our society.
SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have been in the news with the recent government shutdown. Ordinarily in a government shutdown, SNAP is still funded.  President Trump went to court to cut off SNAP benefits for the 41 million Americans who depend on them.
There were a lot of lies told about SNAP benefits during the shutdown. Here are some facts about SNAP benefits:
- 41 million Americans rely on SNAP to help combat food insecurity.
- 80% of the households that receive benefits have minor children, an elderly person or a disabled person.
- 86% of the households on SNAP work fulltime. The others are the elderly. The issue is these families work fulltime for an employer that doesn’t pay them a living wage.
- The average person on SNAP receives just $6 a day for food assistance.
- To apply for SNAP Benefits, you MUST have a Social Security number. Because of that undocumented citizens DO NOT QUALIFY regardless of what others say. Some states have food assistance program that will allow their food benefits to families with a US Citizen in the household, but not to households without a citizen.
- The Budget Act (Big Beautiful Bill) passed this spring cuts SNAP Benefits by 186 billion dollars over ten years. This will tighten requirements and force more off the program to cover tax cuts for billionaires.
It is important that we remember those impacted by food insecurity this Thanksgiving and every day. If we are truly thankful for the blessing we receive, then we should remember those who are less fortunate. Please support your local foodbank and support candidates that  defend assistance for food insecure Americans. At our Fall CAP Conference, the participants volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank. It only takes a few moments at a facility such as that to get a real-world lesson in hunger in America.
This Thanksgiving, I hope each and every one of have a chance to share a meal with your friends and loved ones. Make those memories that will last a lifetime, particularly as you lose those close to you. At the same time, may we remember those who will be faced with hunger this Thanksgiving. On that day and every day may we always be mindful of our fellow Americans who are less fortunate than us. On behalf of the leadership and staff of UAW Region 8, I wish you all Thanksgiving memories to last a lifetime.
In Solidarity,
UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith
Who Are We? UAW! |
