To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

NEW BERN, N.C. — The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina provided holiday meals for 800 military families in need on Thursday.

The food bank hosted Operation Homefront which is part of the Thanks for Giving campaign which recognizes the sacrifices of service members and their families. Military wife Shanna Clark is getting ready for the holiday season, without her husband who is deployed overseas.

The task of handling Thanksgiving dinner solo can be a bit burdensome.

''Just with him being deployed and stuff like that, the money situation is just a little tight this year so i have 3 kids so it's tough sometimes," said Clark.

The Thanks for Giving event aims at helping people such as Clark and hundreds of other military families. Recipients say these donations ensure there is a hot meal on the Thanksgiving table. According to Cpl. Talacia Cain, programs such as this one are important since many people are either afraid to ask for assistance and do not have the resources to ensure a holiday meal happens.
 
Marines volunteered and handed out frozen turkeys, canned goods and other seasonal treats. They say the event is a chance to unite the Military community.

"A lot of us don't know each other, different units from different places. Just to see us come together as one, it just brings moral back to everyone around here, it makes them smile and everything," said Cpl. Raffaele Disiluestro.

Since it is the season for giving, some are just grateful to be on the receiving end when they need it most. Thanks for Giving is sponsored by the Hatfield Family Fund and Food Lion.