Nearly 500 families won't have to go grocery shopping for their Thanksgiving meal, but they will have a warm dinner for the holiday.

The Salvation Army in Sioux Falls is making sure families in KELOLAND have the holiday some of them can't afford.

The organization is giving out Thanksgiving dinner gift baskets, and this year- they've seen double the amount of families in need.

Each of these boxes is packed full of Thanksgiving Day necessities. . stuffing, gravy, and even chicken or turkey. All to make sure families share the holiday together.

This year Major Mike Mills says he's seeing more families come through the Salvation Army's doors. That's made the organization burn through this year's budget... and then some.

"This past year the need was so great that we have spent $100,000 above beyond what was budgeted,” Major Mike Mills said.

Mills says nearly double the amount of people applied for the Thanksgiving kits. April Moore's family is one of those.

"It's helpful, I'm thankful for it, that people are giving to help people that . . Don't make as much money,” April Moore said.

Moore says she's expecting a full house this week - on top of her four little ones. She says her family appreciates this help with Thanksgiving dinner.

"It is, because I mean, like I said, when you have a lot of kids, it really helps out, seeing all that is actually a big help,” April Moore said.

That's exactly what The Salvation Army wants to hear. And Mills says the need will only grow toward the Christmas holiday and through next year. He says that's where the Salvation Army's fundraising efforts come into play.

Mills says the loose change people drop in the Salvation Army Kettles is a big help to area families.

Especially because the Salvation Army has increased its goal for the annual Drive, to keep up with increasing needs. This year, the Salvation Army is trying to raise $485 thousand dollars - $65 thousand more than last year.

Mills says services, meals, and toy drives during the holiday season alone... Use nearly half of the money bell-ringers raise.