BOISE - It's that time of year again. Time for Thanksgiving dinner.

But this 2009 holiday season is different for a lot of Idahoans like Zach Hale and Tim Conners.

"I'd probably be under a bridge or something, out in the cold, Hale said.

"I was one of those ones who lost everything do to the closure of a job," Conners said.

Wednesday, the Boise Rescue Mission's two and a half week preparation is paying off. And Governor Butch Otter was there scooping gravy, even with his arm in a sling.

"Unless we rely on the volunteerism of people who have a little more they can share, that's what's going to make the whole thing better," Otter said.

Dozens of other volunteers like Gracie, dished out the works, including turkey, mashed potatoes, even whipped cream and pie.

"It's a holiday of how thankful we are," she said.

Rev. Bill Roscoe tells 2 News the mission handed out about 299,000 meals last year.

"A lot of us in the same boat," Roscoe said. "We try to encourage people to keep looking up."

This season, Roscoe says he's expecting to give nearly 340,000 meals by Dec. 31.

"You have people that have never been homeless, never been in a food line before," Roscoe said.

Nationwide, The Salvation Army provided over 47,000,000 meals last year. Here locally, volunteers are expecting the need to continue to increase this holiday season.

Hale and Conners say Wednesday's meal is a blessing. But it's the day-to-day mission services that's getting them back on their feet.

"The way they help us with clothing and food and everything else, it actually is a big help for us," Hale said.

"I'm just real pleased to be here and thankful that I do have a roof over my head and a place to stay," Conners said.

The Idaho Foodbank is still looking for more turkey donations. The organization has a goal of 20,000 turkeys and can use your help.