Thanksgiving is just one day away and, for some, the refrigerator might still be empty.

A few local organizations and businesses are making sure even the neediest can have a holiday meal this year. For the fifth year, Newhall Bicycle Company on Thursday will host a free Thanksgiving feast.

"Everybody deserves and appreciates a nice Thanksgiving meal, so we're here to provide," said Shannon Hasper, who owns Newhall Bicycle with her husband Roger Hasper.

Last year, the shop served more than 350 guests and this year the Haspers expect an even larger turnout because of the economy.
Guests can expect the classic Thanksgiving feast.

"It's a traditional Thanksgiving from turkey to stuffing, vegetables and potatoes - anything you would find at Thanksgiving," Shannon Hasper said.

"There's no qualification," Hasper added. "Everyone can come and join us, come eat and have a good time."

In addition to a complete Thanksgiving meal, Newhall Bicycle volunteers will help give away free clothing, toiletries and other small items for those in need.

The community is invited to join in the feast, volunteer to serve, donate food, clothing, shoes, jackets, toys, toiletries or other small items.

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry gave away more than 350 turkeys - donated by the SCV Rotary Club - to their clients in need on Tuesday, said Executive Director Belinda Crawford.

Clients of the SCV Food Pantry who haven't picked up their Thanksgiving meal can still do so today.

The Food Pantry will be doing interviews for new clients before 11:30 a.m.

"If they're approved, they'll go home that day with food," Crawford said. "If they aren't approved to become a regular client, they would go home with an emergency bag of food."

The Food Pantry accepted 20 new clients between Monday and Tuesday. The pantry will be closed on Thanksgiving.

The Church of Hope's food pantry will also be closed Thursday, but the assistant manager is hoping that businesses or community members bring in turkeys and food donations today.

"I just don't know if anyone's going to bring us anything," Kathi Spears said Tuesday. "We have one turkey left."

The food pantry will still be giving out their regular food boxes with canned and dry goods today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"We don't have a lot of resources but we try to give out something so (people) have something to sustain themselves."