For the past 25 years, Mountaire Farms has spearheaded an effort to feed thousands of needy families across Delmarva during the holidays with the Thanksgiving for Thousands event.

It all started because a Dagsboro church could no longer find room for the 100 hungry people it was feeding every holiday. It was decided a boxed meal system could feed more families in need, and with Mountaire’s help, the Thanksgiving for Thousands program was born. That first year, 300 boxes were packed and distributed.

This year, 20,000 boxes will be packed – 10,000 on Delmarva and 10,000 in North Carolina – to help feed families during the holiday.

On Delmarva, it all begins with a food drive this weekend as 17 area grocery stores collect nonperishable food items and volunteers from many organizations come together to help. Volunteer groups including local VFWs and American Legions, Lions Clubs, church groups and more hand out lists of what is needed and collect donated items. Area schools have also been collecting cans for the effort.

Hundreds of volunteers will gather at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25, at Mountaire Farms warehouse, 50 Hoosier St. in Selbyville, to pack 10,000 boxes with a complete Thanksgiving dinner for a family, including a plump Mountaire Farms chicken. Boxes also include corn, string beans, yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and a brownie mix for dessert. Packing runs until the last box is filled and loaded up that afternoon. The next day, community organizations pick up boxes and help distribute them to families in need.

“We look forward to this event every year because it brings people together,” said Phillip Plylar, president of Mountaire Farms. “Our company has always been involved in feeding people, but it’s especially meaningful for everyone to come together to help out during the holiday season. And to celebrate 25 years shows we really are committed to making a difference.”