Thanksgiving started early for hundreds of people in West Palm Beach on Tuesday morning.
St. Ann Place -- a non-profit organization that serves the homeless community in Palm Beach County -- hosted a huge thanksgiving feast for people in need. The organization teamed up with the Center for Creative Education and DePorres Place to put together the event.
Organizers cooked up 16 turkeys and other delicious dishes for over 200 hungry people in the area around North Dixie Highway.
Dozens of volunteers also served up pumpkin pie, stuffing and gravy.
Some volunteers like Aaron Aruda were former clients. He gave back on Tuesday as the kitchen chef.
"I came here from California and things didn't go quite as planned. I was under some hard times and was referred to this place," he said. "I feel like I really relate with these people. And so I felt really bad and wanted to show them that we are decent people who wanted to help."
James Eutsey, a West Palm Beach native and St. Ann client, said that the organization helped him to find a job and get settled into a place to live. He said his life has been changed for the better.
"It's the season for love and sharing and giving," he said. "I was at a point in my life where I needed some help. And they were here for me. They never said no."
Sally Hallee said after struggling with financial problems and joblessness for years, it was a blessing to share a meal with others this week. She plans to volunteer on Wednesday at another Thanksgiving feeding in the area as her way of giving back.
"Look back over the year and be grateful for all the blessings we've had and maybe look back into the past to remember loved ones who are no longer with us and appreciate the time we had with them," she said.
St. Ann Place provides several services to the homeless population in West Palm Beach including clothes and work boots, laundry services, free toiletries and showers, and daily meals every week.
The organization will need some extra help this holiday season with donations of clothing, shoes, toiletries and backpacks for the homeless. Click here to donate.