With growing food prices, it can be tough for some families to pay for a big Thanksgiving meal. Saturday, generous volunteers in Austin gave groceries to families who would have otherwise gone without.
Volunteers moved frozen turkeys off a truck, and brought the birds inside to be sorted. Others packed canned goods and boxes of stuffing to give away to families in need.
"This is our response to help the community and raise awareness of hunger and poverty happening in our city," said El Buen Samaritano Ivan Davila.
El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission in South Austin organized the Hands for Hope event for the past 21 years. A line of families stretched around the building Saturday morning. Inside they were given green bags full of turkey and trimmings.
"Probably wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving otherwise," one of the families said. "This is wonderful. It's a great thing they do here."
"Thank them -- we appreciate it and God bless them," another woman said.
Saturday morning 140 volunteers gave their time and served more families than ever before.
More than 1,400 families were given groceries at the Hands for Hope event.
"I love coming out and helping everyone here," volunteer Miranda Tacoronti said. "You really see how many people are in need in this community."
Twenty percent of Travis County residents live in poverty and struggle to pay for necessities.
"This is a way of making sure we help out those before Thanksgiving, so they can have something on the table," Tacoronti said.
What starts as bags of donated groceries turns into a Thanksgiving celebration.
