ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Seven thousand Thanksgiving meals were distributed Thursday at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Long lines started forming as early as 5 a.m. at the Second Harvest Food Bank and "We Give Thanks" drive-thru event.
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The Thanksgiving meals were prepared by volunteers, giving each family a heat-and-serve meal and one box of groceries.
This year's event comes as many families struggle to provide food due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is not a one day or a seasonal need, people are hungry every day of the year, more so now than ever before because of the economic impact of COVID," says OC Food Bank Director Mark Lowry.
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Feeding America projects more than 50 million Americans will have faced hunger this year, that's up from around 35 million before the pandemic.
"For those people that want to make a difference in their community, they are certainly welcome to volunteer," says Lowry.