SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Just over a week away from Thanksgiving, the Gray House hopes their annual Thanksgiving distribution drive can provide a warm meal for as many families as possible.

Executive Director Kristen McClintock says the need for affordable food in Western Mass has grown in recent years.

"The need in the community is still really strong," McClintock said. "Last year was our biggest distribution ever. It was over 1,000 families we served with complete Thanksgiving meals. Again just highlighting that food insecurity is a real concern and it's ongoing."

McClintock said The Gray House provided free groceries to around 5,000 people a month last year through their emergency food assistance program.

This week, the nonprofit is looking to collect turkeys, but sides are also welcome.

"Cranberry sauce, potatoes, canned vegetables [and] gravy packets," she said. "But like I said, turkeys are the hardest thing to get donated and that's the most expensive item for our a lot of families and they just don't have in their food budget."

McClintock said the holiday season especially can be a very difficult time financially for several families so having a helping hand from community members can go a long way.

"To go out and pick up an extra turkey or to pick up an extra can of cranberry sauce or gravy," she said. "And to take the time to drop it off for us so that we can give it out to the community. It means so much and that's the spirit of thanksgiving right there everyone coming together so that we can share a meal and be thankful for all the things we do have."

McClintock said The Gray House will be accepting donations through Friday.

The nonprofit will then distribute the food next Monday and Tuesday for those who registered.