The giving spirit is in full swing this holiday season already. Thousands of free Thanksgiving meals were served up for those in need.

It was packed, the line was out the door and nearly 4,000 turkey meals with all the trimmings were served.

This banquet is just one of many community events planned to make sure as many of our neighbors as possible have a hot meal this holiday.

4,000 people are now full after eating a thanksgiving meal at the Springs Rescue Mission annual banquet. So how long do you think it takes to make all this food?

"This was pretty much a two to three day procedure," says Chef Walter Lofton.

It also took 600 hundred volunteers to serve the 125 turkeys and dozens of cases of yams, stuffing and vegetables.

"I wanted to help the community and all the homeless people out here," says Alex Bontje. He is not only giving his time, but this 13-year-old is also volunteering his skills by baking some of the food. "I brought in three pies," says Bontje.

"It's indescribable! Especially when they leave here with a tray, or a pie, or a smile on their face and full belly, knowing that the community and the mission did a great job," says Chef Lofton.

One lucky mother got an early Christmas present. "Tell us why you needed this van," says Stacia Naquin. "I do have 6 boys one of them has advanced heart disease, he is 17, and he is not stable," says the mother.

Over at Fort Carson, soldiers and volunteers are cooking up another 4,000 meals to be delivered Thanksgiving day.

"This is actually what we do on a daily basis for the troops, so ya know, to be able to show our skill set to the community is something different. Like I said not always other people can see what we do here on our installation, this gives us a chance to shine," says Sgt. Damon Cantey.

Starting Thanksgiving morning, more volunteers will gather at The Salvation Army to start delivering all those meals. This is the 20th year Fort Carson soldiers and volunteers have been preparing turkey dinners for those in need in our community.