Thomas Hill has a huge guest list for Thanksgiving: 675 families get frozen turkeys, and 400 individuals get a hot meal. None of them will get a bill. He told me, "Being disabled myself, I know what it’s like to be homeless. I know what It’s like to be hungry and have to stand in line." 3 years ago, his “Cookies for Kindness” company started raising money to give out Thanksgiving dinners. This year his free holiday meals are spread out over 4 days. He says there's no shortage of folks in need. As he puts it, "The need here is 10 times what it was last year."

That’s also what we heard across town from Chef Kim Vandenhazel, the director of St. Vincent’s Dining Room. He told me, "We are seeing, definitely more clientele coming in. We're seeing a lot more people, and different people than what we've seen in the past. You've got a lot of people who are now out of jobs or can't afford rent, that's why we're seeing a lot of different people."

Tough times are certainly nothing new. The St. Vincent’s Thanksgiving tradition began over 60 years ago. The Nugget has been footing the bill for it for over 20, always offering more than what Kim asks for. He told me, “It’s no problem, you know? They are more than ready and willing to help us. They do both Thanksgiving and Christmas here." Last year the Nugget and St. Vincent’s fed over a thousand people. This year, Kim says there will be enough for 1,200. On the menu Thursday, the classics: "We're going to have roast turkey and a savory stuffing. There's going to be mashed potatoes. We're going to be serving a hot vegetable, pumpkin pie to go with that.”

It starts at 11:00am Thanksgiving, and people line up early every year. "They'll be getting in line at 7 or 8:00 in the morning. They do that on an everyday basis."

At the Bridge Church on Foster Drive, Thomas's Cookies for Kindness has about 700 turkeys and kits that contain sides and pies. Like St. Vincent’s, its to-go this year. Today, we heard a lot of "thank yous". Thomas told me, "The community outpouring for what I've been doing here will almost put you to tears. You know, to see a family smile, knowing that they're going to have a great Thanksgiving…that's all the thanks I need."

You're invited to a free meal at the Bridge Church parking lot, 1330 Foster Drive Wednesday at 12 noon, and from 10am to 4pm Thursday.  At 11am Thursday, you can pick up a dinner outside the St. Vincent's Dining Room at 325 Valley Road in Reno.