WILLIAMSPORT -- The holiday spirit is alive and well in central Pennsylvania. Just when it looked as though hundreds of families in the Williamsport area would not be receiving Christmas food baskets this year because of a lack of funding, another charity stepped in.
The freezer at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Williamsport is filling up with turkeys.
"There is definitely a need at both Thanksgiving and Christmas," said Jamie Caputo.
Turkeys in the freezer will be given away for Thanksgiving, but the food bank has decided to take their holiday giving a step further.
The non-profit is stepping in to help fill Christmas basket orders for folks like Pam Fowler and her family who were eating lunch at Sojourner Truth Ministries in Williamsport.
"There are just families that really are just at the level where they really need help," said Pam Fowler from Williamsport.
Usually the Salvation Army and American Rescue Workers in Williamsport offer extra groceries to families in need around Christmas time. This year both groups could not afford to fill Christmas baskets. Instead, each has decided to have a Christmas dinner.
"The need is so great we're talking about, you know, 2,000 plus families in the community going without a holiday meal," said Caputo.
Caputo says the Central PA Food Bank will do whatever it can to help fill those baskets. She also says the organization is looking towards the community to help fill those orders.
"It's harder and harder to do what we're doing with the growing need that continues to take place in our communities," said Caputo.
Families in need can sign up for a Christmas Basket at the Salvation Army, American Rescue Workers in Williamsport, or at the Love Center in Jersey Shore.
Toni Carr stopped by the Salvation Army.
"If they wouldn't be helping I don't know what I would do," said Carr.
"I think it's awesome that someone was willing to step in and help the families," said Fowler.
Organizers at the Central PA Food Bank say it will cost around $50,000 to fill Christmas baskets this year.
Families in need who live in eastern Clinton County or in the Williamsport area are asked to sign up before the Christmas holiday.