Tough economy makes Thanksgiving meal tight for Menifee family, others

Posted By jose.arballo On November 23, 2009 @ 10:04 pm In Business, Food, Local News, News | No Comments

Thanksgiving is many things to many people. Traditionally, it is a time when family and friends gather together over an elaborate turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

In today’s tough economy, having the usual gathering can be quite a challenge. Many people are unemployed or under employed, gas prices, while dropping recently, are still high; and the price of food, housing and clothing continues to soar.

Menifee resident Traci Blagg and her husband, Frank, have learned that just feeding the family is a daily struggle.

“We are still having Thanksgiving at our house this year, but some things have changed,” she said. “We have a large family and add close friends and there will be 20 to 30 people here this year. Everyone will be bringing something, right down to paper plates, napkins and utensils.”

Traci is a physician assistant, dividing her time between an office in Temecula and Sun City. Frank is a local self-employed concrete day finisher – a gourmet chef and attends seminary in the evenings. He once had a thriving business, but has only worked sporadically the past few months due to the slow economy.

Their children range from 4 and 23; the youngest is handicapped and the oldest in college.

“We thought about not having Thanksgiving here this year, but thought if we changed things up and just provided the main entrée and looked to guests to bring pies, side dishes and everything else, it would still be doable,” said Traci Blagg.

The Blagg family has much to be thankful for this year, as it is their first Thanksgiving as a family. Frank and Traci, both widowed, joined forces last July with all six children standing up for them at their wedding. Frank Bragg had been raising his six children as a single parent, when he and Traci met.

Traci Dyer just prior to the marriage adopted 4-years-old Helen, who has cerebral palsy. There’s Little Helen, who is only 4, Josh, 11, Sidney, 14, Lauren, 16, Danielle, 18 and the oldest, Jessica, who is 23.

They refer to themselves as the ‘Crazy Bunch’ and reside in a large two-story house in Menifee, which they happily share with two dogs and a cat.

“I shop for bargains weekly while feeding this family of eight. Going to the grocery store is not just one trip to the local market, but can be a two to three day event-shopping at discount markets such as Winco and getting local sales at others, like Stater Bros and Albertson’s,” she said.

Rather than cancel having family and friends over this year, many like the Blagg’s are discovering different ways to put together their Thanksgiving gatherings. Some families are serving spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and salad in order to stretch that dollar to feed all their guests. Perhaps it’s potluck, like the Blaggs.

While most are still opting for turkey with all the trimmings, it can be done on less with a little planning. Some tips on preparing that turkey dinner this year include shopping for bargains and cutting some corners. Watch for that turkey that is free or $5 to $6 with a $25 purchase or that 10-pound bag of potatoes for under a dollar.

Local Ralph’s and Von’s are advertising turkeys for $5 to $6 and Butterball turkeys for $7, while spending $25 at their store. Carefully put together that minimum purchase of $25 can complete the entire meal. Costco currently has giant, 12-inch fresh pumpkin pies for only $5.99 and canned vegetables for 58 cents. Buying in bulk at this member market can also have the advantage of feeding the family for several weeks past the holiday.

To feed a family of 10 on Turkey Day, it will require some tight budgeting but it can be done on less than $30 dollars. A turkey or ham can be purchased on sale for less than ten dollars. A five-pound bag of potatoes can be anywhere from 69 cents on holiday sales, up to $3-two boxes of stuffing-day-old leftover crusts and bread can make it even cheaper. Add the traditional spices will be from $3 to $5 (depending on what’s already in the kitchen); three cans of corn or green beans for up to two dollars and throw in canned yams (or fresh) for ninety nine cents a can each and add another two dollars for the fixings. Top this off with a frozen Swanson’s pumpkin pie for $3.99 from Winco (saving two to three dollars over the corner market prices) and the holiday dinner is right on budget

Canned vegetables and frozen pies may not be customary for a family at Thanksgiving and spaghetti may be have been out of the question for some in the past but recent tough times have caused families to improvise putting the emphasis on being with loved ones. The meal and how it is put together has become secondary.

“We are thankful we have each other and all that God provides for us-we have so much more than most. At thanksgiving and every day we concentrate the things we do have, instead of things we don’t have,” said Traci Blagg.