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Organizations in the area prepping to serve thousands on Thanksgiving

Posted at 6:05 PM, Nov 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-13 18:25:38-05

A little more than a week out, Cleveland is prepping the big day. Local organizations will feed thousands their Thanksgiving meal this year and it's no small feat.

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank will help provide food and hot meals to thousands this coming week. 

"We are distributing over 10,000 turkeys to pantries that we work with," Karen Ponza, with the food bank, told News 5, "We also have several hundred hot meal programs where people can go get a hot meal."

The goal is to make sure everyone in Northeast Ohio, no matter their circumstance, has a Thanksgiving meal next Thursday. 

RELATED: Free turkey giveaways to help you this holiday season

With kids out of school, where many in the area count on up to three provided meals a day, the food bank also changes hours and schedules to accommodate families. 

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank isn't dealing with a shortage of turkeys or the fixings this season but said cash donations are always helpful. 

A few miles away, St. Augustine is putting out the call for help. 

Father Joseph McNulty told News 5 they need more drivers to help deliver meals. 

"Today, most of the meals we serve are delivered. I think we will deliver about 11,000," he said. "What they do, is contact us, if they're willing to deliver. We will try to send them where they're from."

According to McNulty, St. Augustine will serve more than 20,000 people from 28 locations and deliveries. 

They started cooking their 2,000 turkeys in September to make it happen. 

McNulty said that if you live in the Akron, Lorain or Painesville areas, "you can get a Thanksgiving meal."

For more information from The Greater Cleveland Food Bank and places to get a hot meal across Northeast Ohio, click here. 

For more on St. Augustine's need for volunteers, click here.