Orange County Rescue Mission in need of Thanksgiving food donations

TUSTIN, Calif. (KABC) -- As the Orange County Rescue Mission prepares for the busy holiday season, it's calling on the community to help provide homeless families with Thanksgiving meals.

The organization said many of the families currently living at the Village of Hope have never experienced a traditional Thanksgiving meal, while other reminisce on times when they once gathered with their families to enjoy the festive meal.

"Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the things that we are fortunate enough to have, and it is also a season to give to others," Orange County Rescue Mission President Jim Palmer said in a written statement. "Our goal is to give these families a beautiful holiday celebration and we cannot do it without the open hearts and generosity of the local community."

Those wishing to donate may drop off items at the Orange County Rescue Mission's Village of Hope at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin or by call Halley Duff at (714) 247-4389.

The Orange County Rescue Mission was seeking specific food items. The items include:

- Entrees -

- 106 whole turkeys

- 48 whole hams

- 160 pounds of ground pork

- Sides -

- 200 pounds of potatoes

- 360 boxes of stuffing

- 80 pounds of cranberries

- 120 cans of corn

- Vegetables -

- 120 pounds of green beans

- 100 bags of carrots

- 300 pounds of mushrooms

- 650 onions

- Desserts -

- 80 cans of pumpkin puree

- 50 boxes of cake mix

- 50 pounds of white sugar

- 110 bottles of maple syrup

- Extras -

- 90 containers of butter

- 24 pounds of garlic

- 100 boxes of breadcrumbs

- 75 pounds of bacon

To learn more about the Orange County Rescue Mission, click here.