ATLANTA — A nonprofit has been making it its business to put holiday meals on the tables for families in Atlanta for over 50 years.
Since 1971, Hosea Helps has helped hundreds of thousands of families in Atlanta.
This year, a line stretching across several blocks started forming around 3 a.m. for the annual Thanksgiving giveaway.
Volunteers collect vital information from each client and ensure they leave with more than a box of food.
The data helps the nonprofit meet other needs besides hunger.
"Right now, we can go into our database and tell you who is living in their car. Who is sleeping in a hotel. Who is in danger of being evicted. Whose lights are turned off," said Hosea Helps CEO Awodele Omilami.
One of the most significant factors that make this giveaway work every year is the volunteers who help assemble boxes, line vehicles, and hand out food.
One of the volunteers said she has been coming out to the Thanksgiving giveaway for over two decades and has a very special reason for wanting to be here to give back to the community.
“I grew up with a poor family and we used to get stuff given to us all the time. It's my honor to be out here to see that people are getting stuff they can’t afford," said volunteer Julie Merritt.
This year, many people are finding they can’t afford food staples due to the rising cost of groceries and other essentials, but Hosea Helps plans to feed 500 families during this event.
“They’re getting enough food to feed six people. They are picking up a turkey and all the sides and water for their family," Omilami added.
The organization has put out a message asking the community to step up to help them help families in need by donating time, money and dry goods.
To learn how to donate or volunteer at Hosea Helps, click here.