🚗 Your Thanksgiving travel playlist

What's CITY Talking About?

Food Bank Demand Surges As Pandemic Aid Wanes

D.C. is approaching its first post-pandemic Thanksgiving without food assistance programs, and food banks are seeing “unprecedented demand.” Funding particularly helped the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used by over a million DMV households. Since it was cut, there has been a 30% uptick in the demand at food banks, with lines lasting over 90 minutes. [Washington Post 🔒]

MPD’s New Notification System

D.C. police are rolling out a new system for keeping crime victims updated on their cases. The program will use some automation to email or text residents as cases progress. The updates will also include contact information for residents to follow up. [WTOP]

• Related: The goal is to help people feel more at ease about crime in the city. Mayor Muriel Bowser is hoping to accomplish the same with her latest crime bill. [City Cast DC 🎧]

More Pickleball Courts!

D.C. held a “pickleball summit” and the Department of Parks and Recreation seem inclined to give the people what they want: more courts. There’s $75,000 set aside for the sport, and DPR will study what’s needed to help it thrive. [Washington Post]

• Related: Have you been hearing the iconic pickleball pop? WAMU’s Matt Blitz explains why the sport has had such a surge. [City Cast DC 🎧]

What To Do

🕯️ Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece Workshop | Tuesday | 6:30 p.m.

Learn to make a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table and impress even the most fastidious of mothers-in-law. [$45, Union Market]

📖 Mahogany Books Fall Salon | Tuesday | 7 p.m.

Head to the cozy Mahogany Books for its fall salon series featuring D.C. native poets Miko Reed and Tony Keith. [Free, Anacostia]

🏃🏾 America’s Trot For Hunger | Thursday | 9:15 p.m.

This 5K run/jog starts in Freedom Plaza and all proceeds go to D.C. non-profit So Others Might Eat. There is also a virtual race if you don’t want to get up that early. [$65, Downtown]

🕯️ Enchant DC | Friday | After Dark

This massive winter wonderland opens in Nats Park on Friday, with a holiday shopping village, ice skating, a light maze, and over-the-top holiday decor. [$32, Navy Yard]

Today on City Cast

Delayed Shelter Opening, Giving Tuesday, and New Underrated Restaurants

West End NIMBYs are trying to block a homeless shelter after already delaying the opening (prompting the most iconic meme of the year). We’re chatting about that and where to donate on Giving Tuesday. Plus, y’all had a lot to say about our underrated restaurants episode, and we took a deep dive into your suggestions.