TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Feeding Tampa Bay staff spent many hours preparing meals for those in need.

Organizers said they plan to serve even more families than normal to ease some pressure on those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The organization roasted 36 turkeys’ and made traditional Thanksgiving food for people to enjoy, like homemade green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pie.

“It is work, but for us, it’s the labor of love. For the last 3 or 4 days we have been preparing and getting ready,” said Chef Daniel Graves, Director of Culinary Services. “By the help of the volunteers and the staff, we’ve been able to put together a nice Thanksgiving home-cooked meal for about 1,000 people.”

The staff and volunteers have been kicked into overdrive to help meet the increased need they are seeing.

“We’ve been really busy, inflation has been really hard for folks, now the storms,” said Shannon Oliviero, with Feeding Tampa Bay. “So, we have so many people who need help and someone to care for them and that’s what we’ve been doing here at Feeding Tampa Bay, and we have all this wonderful holiday food to make sure that people can enjoy that meal around the table.”

On Thursday morning, the kitchen was filled with hustle and bustle as the final preparations were made.

8 On Your Side’s Alessandra Young asked Executive Chef Doug Saltz if they are working more than ever now due to the influx of people.

“We are, it’s sad, but people need food and that’s what we’re here for,” he said.

The organization has made thousands of to-go meals for those in need, especially since the hurricanes.

“Our output in the community has definitely increased. We’ve added additional meals for the community, with preparing meals with our production kitchen, we can handle that increased volume in the community,” said Rhonda Gindlesperger, COO for Feeding Tampa Bay.

“So, both groceries and prepared meals and connections to benefits and services for those who are impacted by the hurricanes and our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity day-to-day.”

With a holiday well celebrated, those at Feeding Tampa Bay said what matters most is being with the ones you love and having a warm meal.

For more on the prepared meals and resources Feeding Tampa Bay offers, click here.