Watervliet, N.Y. (WNYT) – Volunteers gathered at the Watervliet High School to get their delivery lists and put together the orders.

Their mission was clear.

“Today, me and my crew are going to give Thanksgiving meals to people who need it the most,” said 11-year-old volunteer Anthony VanPatten.

This year, 294 meals are going to 132 households. That’s up 18% from last year.

The cooking was done under the direction of city firefighter and restaurant owner Tim Delisle.

“The school was gracious enough to give us that amazing facility back there, which we couldn’t do without because they have all the equipment we need,” he said. “Monetary donations came in, so we bought the proper products, we had turkeys, we had green beans donated, we had potatoes donated, stuffing was made yesterday, gravy was made yesterday, and then we had a bunch of volunteers that came and helped package it up.”

Once again, police, firefighters, and the city are stepping up to fill the void after Equinox stopped its big Thanksgiving meal delivery last year.

“To give back to the community,” said Watervliet Police Chief William Rice. “I know that the way the economy is, families are having a hard time buying the meals for themselves.”

“The number of people who came in and said they were going to help cook, they would help do whatever I needed to do, especially those that gave donations– I just had it out there a couple of times and people were sending me checks and it was just a great feeling to know that it was that much of a caring community,” said Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli.

9-year-old Peyton showed us some of the cards that were included in the delivery bags. The cards were made by students at Watervliet Elementary School and the Girl Scouts.

When it was delivery time, groups fanned out over the city, bringing the meals to the residents that had signed up.

They knocked on doors and called out, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

People were happy to see the smiles, giving thanks, and knowing what’s behind this whole effort.

“To spread love and joy,” said Anthony. “So everybody can have as equal as good a Thanksgiving as we all have.”