As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, Thanksgiving arrives as a pause and a time to gather, reflect, and give thanks. This year, like many in recent memory feels different. We find ourselves living through uncertain times: rising costs at the grocery store, job insecurity, housing that feels increasingly out of reach for too many. Families are stretching every dollar. The DC region has been particularly hard hit by the loss of the federal government jobs and overall uncertainty:
- The DC metro area’s unemployment rate is at 5.1%. The DMV is experiencing significant job losses, primarily due to federal workforce cuts.
- Food insecurity is on the rise in many places. In the DC area, over 1.5 million people, including 1 in 10 children, are food insecure.
- Nearly half of all renters in the DC metro area are “cost-burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their gross income on rent.
It can be hard to focus on gratitude when so much feels uncertain and unfair. But perhaps this is when Thanksgiving’s true meaning matters most.
Thanksgiving, at its heart, has always been about more than the turkey, the pies, or the perfect table setting. It’s about connection with one another, with our communities, and with the values that sustain us through difficulty. It’s a reminder that gratitude doesn’t ignore hardship. To give thanks is to acknowledge what we have and to recognize the strength, kindness, and resilience that get us through. It’s about the neighbor who shares a meal, the volunteer who spends hours at a food pantry, the family that finds creative ways to make ends meet. Gratitude, in its truest form, isn’t about abundance but awareness.
At WHC properties across the DMV, our Social Impact Coordinators are hosting events to mark Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season. We’re also distributing grocery gift cards to support residents as they prepare or gather for their Thanksgiving meals. These events help to foster a strong sense of community, reminding residents that they are valued and not alone, especially in difficult times. This support may seem small, but for many families it provides breathing room and that can make a difference. And it lets them know WHC cares about and is thankful for them.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges around us, but gratitude can serve as a form of resilience. A way to find hope in the human connections that endure. Gratitude does not deny the struggle but instead it helps us face it. It reminds us that we belong to one another, and that even in difficult times, generosity and care can flourish.
On behalf of WHC, thank you for all your support in our mission to address housing stability and economic security in the DMV. This Thanksgiving, may we give thanks for all we have, including each other. And may we carry that spirit forward, beyond the holiday table, into the days and months ahead.
Preserving housing affordability and promoting economic mobility in the DC-region
The Washington Housing Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your investment helps us expand our work. Your gift is 100% tax-deductible. EIN 83-1866109
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