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The Salvation Army at the Good Samaritan Center in Sand City has almost half the turkeys they need in order to hit their 800-bird goal this year.

After helping 750 families last year Director of Social Services Diana Gomes says they signed up an additional 50 this year before making the cutoff.

The Good Samaritan Center is giving out senior gift cards today, has a Thanksgiving meal for the homeless tomorrow morning and begins distributing to 200 families from Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel after that.

In addition to a turkey the Salvation Army also gives out Safeway gift cards to help households round out their Thanksgiving meal. Gomes says this is the worst year she’s seen since coming to work in Monterey County eight years ago.

“The economy is getting better,” Gomes explains, “but we see the interviews and it’s not really changing, the need is higher.”

Gomes says she has personally dealt with a number of families seeking assistance as a direct result of the La Playa layoffs in Carmel last month and has noticed an increase in gas, electric and rental assistance requests as well.

But, she is confident the community will come through for the cause—there are already 1000 families on the list for assistance during Christmas.

“The community has always been very supportive, we couldn’t do the work without the assistance,” says Gomes. “I’m sure if we ask they will come and help us, they always do.”

If you’d like to donate a turkey (or turkeys) you can drop them off at the Good Samaritan Center anytime between 8:30am and 4pm Monday-Wednesday at 800 Scott St., Sand City near the Costco.