“This is turkey time,” the head of Greater Boston Food Bank declared Thursday before 1,200 birds were moved along a “human chain” of volunteers, politicians and sports mascots to kick off the holiday season.

The birds moved as part of the organization’s 18th annual “Chain of Giving” represent just a fraction of the roughly 24,000 turkeys, 100,000 chickens and 20,000 chicken pieces that will be distributed to families in need throughout the holidays, according to Catherine D’Amato, GBFB’s president and CEO.

“There’s no doubt that families are struggling,” D’Amato said. “We know hunger is no longer an emergency. Think about that. It’s no longer an emergency. It’s a daily experience for too many of our neighbors across the state.”

The need has increased significantly since the pandemic, she told the Herald, citing statistics that show 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents are facing food insecurity now, compared to the 1 in 8 people who were chronically hungry before COVID.

“So that’s 1.8 million people in our state,” D’Amato said. “And that is the most historic number I’ve ever seen in my 40 years of working in the emergency food system across the United States.”

The numbers are even starker in Boston, according to Mayor Michelle Wu, who said 1 in 5 city residents are experiencing food insecurity.

D’Amato cited inflation, housing affordability and equity as major factors contributing to the state’s hunger problem.

The number of people served by the Greater Boston Food Bank has risen by 12% this year, Wu added. The city has been working with the organization to “start to eliminate some of the impossible choices that families are facing,” she said.

“Buying groceries or making rent, keeping the lights on or refilling a prescription — no one should be put in those situations,” Wu said. “Food is a basic human right and we know that it has ripple effects benefiting all of us when all of our neighbors are healthy, happy and nourished.”

While the turkeys passed from the Food Bank’s loading dock to its freezer represent just a portion of meals that will be provided, D’Amato said the annual event is a way to bring awareness to the people who may be struggling or are reliant on their neighborhood pantry to put food on the table this holiday season.

“We need to end hunger and food insecurity once and for all,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “What my hope is, is that after we’re done passing turkeys, that we really move forward from today with a spirit of commitment and collective action on addressing this need.”

Volunteers pass along turkeys at the Greater Boston Food Bank’s annual Chain of Giving on Thursday. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)