Registration is underway for the Lehigh Community Services Thanksgiving, which last year helped almost 500 people.

Lehigh Community Services Executive Director Carolyn Peplow said they began registering individuals for their Thanksgiving meals on Monday, Oct. 28, and will continue until Wednesday, Nov. 13, or until registration is full.

“For Thanksgiving we give out food items to help prepare the meals, the nonperishable stuff,” she said. “We supply a gift card to a local grocery store to buy the turkey or ham.”

Items distributed include such things as boxed stuffing and gravy mix.

Individuals are asked to bring their photo ID and proof of a Lehigh Acres address during office hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lehigh Community Services is located at 201 Plaza Dr. Suite 3.

“We are going to serve at least 400 to 500 families. We did 496 last year,” Peplow said.

Lehigh Community Services partners with New Life Assembly of God, Christ United Methodist Church, Lehigh Regional Medical Center and the Moose Lodge.

“We do all registration in our office,” she said. “We give them a ticket and send them to different locations in the community to pick up the food. That is how we get them distributed. It takes all five of us to get it done.”

With the holiday season coming up, Peplow said all donations are appreciated, especially nonperishable foods that will help families prepare holiday meals.

“Our panty is so busy right now. We always need donations. Any food is helpful . . . canned vegetables, canned soup and canned beans are always biggies. Peanut butter, tuna . . . nonperishable staples that you can build meals around,” Peplow said.

For more information, call (239) 369-5818.