NASHVILLE, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) — With turkey prices up 25% and holiday meal costs rising 5% this Thanksgiving, many U.S. families feel the pinch. But a Nashville charity crisis has underscored the holiday’s true spirit: not the feast, but shared kindness.

Country star Tracy Lawrence’s 20th "Mission: Possible Turkey Fry" event hit a wall Nov. 25: a broken refrigerated truck spoiled 650 turkeys, endangering meals for thousands of needy families. With turkeys at a record $2.05 per pound, the loss seemed irreversible—until the community stepped up.

The response was overwhelming. Musician Tucker Wetmore donated 100 turkeys; local businesses gave side dishes; residents dropped off frozen birds and cash at Luke Combs’ Category 10 venue. By Thanksgiving Eve, the drive had 5,350 turkeys (feeding 50,000) and raised $355,000 for Nashville Rescue Mission.

"A nightmare became a lesson in neighborliness," Lawrence said. "When gratitude costs more, people lean in harder." His words strike a chord: the average 12-person holiday meal now costs $362.80, with tariffs adding $132 in extra expenses per American.

This mix of economic worry and generosity spans the U.S. Detroit food banks see 30% more demand—plus a volunteer surge. A Seattle brewery traded beer sales for turkeys, collecting 800 in three days. Even as cautious spending pushes cardboard shipments to a decade low, charity drives persist.

For the livestock and poultry equipment industry, this season highlights the need for reliable systems. [Qingdao Zhmit Trading Co., Ltd. ] delivers customizable solutions—from feeding systems to temperature control—ensuring consistency for producers and communities alike, even amid market shifts.

This Thanksgiving, Nashville’s lesson holds: resilience grows when we support each other. For your livestock equipment needs, contact us: