Thanksgiving is still a month away, but some organizations are already collecting canned goods and money so they can provide a hot holiday meal to families in need.

Renee Herman, founder of The Harvest Drive, a 17-year food drive made possible this year with the help of student volunteers from five Broward schools, said the demand for help is greater than years past due to the economic crisis, with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds reaching out for help.

``People think in Weston or Parkland there isn't a need. But yes, there is,'' Herman said.

Organizers have been collecting money from sponsors and community members throughout the year to reach their goal of feeding 1,000 families. Monetary donations are used to purchase turkey, butter, potatoes and other perishables to go along with the canned goods that students will collect closer to the holiday.

CLOTHING, TOYS

Students from Western High School in Davie, Plantation High, Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Pompano Beach High and Glades Middle in Miramar are gearing up to collect not only canned goods, but also clothes, shoes, books and toys to give out to families as well.

``The more the children bring in, the more stuff we'll have to give out,'' Herman said.

Collectors in Coral Springs are also seeking donations for the Thanks For Giving event, an annual tradition since 1988 that relies on community donations of nonperishable items to be made into Thanksgiving Day baskets for local families. Items needed include canned yams, flaked potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, canned corn and green beans, canned fruit and cookies.

GIFT CERTIFICATE

Along with canned goods, families -- which were selected by local churches and temples -- will receive a gift certificate for a turkey, a ham or a main dish. This year's goal is 250 baskets, which will be assembled by city employees and distributed by the religious institutions. Since 1988, volunteers have made 3,392 baskets for local families.

Dale Hirsch, executive director of Volunteer Broward -- a group that has undertaken the task of running a yearlong food and funds drive -- said its goal is to collect one million pounds of food by Oct. 1.

This marks the second year that Volunteer Broward has joined forces with dozens of community partners in order to collect nonperishable food items. The campaign provides resources to the Million Meals Committee, a cooperative of more than six dozen local hunger relief organizations supporting all of Broward County.

The Field of Food campaign, Hirsch said is not holiday specific, but instead is addressing an increase in public demand for hunger relief services, attributed to recent economics, unemployment and funding cuts.

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