New Yorkers, hit hard by the pandemic, line up for free Thanksgiving turkey

A man takes holiday food from the Food Bank For New York City ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, as the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease continues, in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

As the US Thanksgiving holiday approaches, New Yorkers struggling to serve up a festive meal lined up with empty shopping carts for help from a hunger-relief organisation.

Food Bank For New York City gave out 500 turkeys, canned goods and produce to hundreds of families in the neighborhood of Harlem on Monday. Many had never imagined needing handouts to survive.