by Elyse Miller News Channel 3 Reporter
emiller@kesq.com

DESERT HOT SPRINGS - For many here in the valley, Thanksgiving will be like any other day. It will be spent without food or money. However, on Saturday local organizations came to the rescue for hundreds of families.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," says Helen Lilley. "I'm full of tears, I don't want to cry. This is the nicest Thanksgiving I ever dreamed of."

It's a thanksgiving Helen Lilley almost missed out on.

"I had no money to buy food," says Lilley.

It's the same story for Victoria Sanchez.

"It's hard with the holiday season, it's hard to provide food and get gifts," says Victoria Sanchez.

Sanchez says, the past several months have been rough. She's taking care of her one year old daughter and her disabled mother. She can't pay bills and can't find work.

"No one is hiring," says Sanchez.

She's part of a growing statistic, un-employment in Riverside County is at 15 percent.

"It's at higher levels than ever, it's a great depression," says Assemblyman Manuel Perez.

However, free meals are turning depression into joy. " Food Now" partnered with Assemblyman Manuel Perez, County Supervisor Ashley Marion and area organizations to put on a turkey dinner giveaway in Desert Hot Springs.

"I'm excited, it's a dream," says Lilley.

About 300 families will get a box full of all the Thanksgiving dinner fixings, including a turkey, green beans, potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Sanchez says, before getting the free food, she was planning to eat Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter. However many have long waiting lists, as demand rises and donations drop.

"Thanksgiving is here and some families need help," says County Supervisor Ashley Marion.

"If it wasn't for 'Food Now', I wouldn't have Thanksgiving," says Lilley. "I wouldn't have dinner."

As Lilly takes her box full of food, she's leaves with more than dinner. She leaves with the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," says Lilley.