BUCKLEY -- It's just a week before Sandra Svec's annual Thanksgiving dinner at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City.  Final preparations are underway, but for a much larger crowd this year.

"I'd say at least 360 with a plus sign because the times have changed," says Svec.

Svec says tough economic times continue to affect families across northern Michigan.  This has 120 volunteers planning for what could be the largest turnout at the dinner in 20 years.  Also, requests for the delivered meals on Thanksgiving continue to increase.

"We have at least 60 to 70 going out, we have 26 different area town names that we do," says Svec.

Plus, since the Father Fred Foundation cancelled their annual dinner, Svec is preparing for even more people to show up to her dinner.

"They're the ones we're trying to reach and that's the most important part right there is reaching them....My purpose in this is to get out of your situation and come down and be with other people on the holiday," says Svec.

Although food orders are going smoothly and volunteers are lined up, Svec says she's is in need of winter clothes that are passed out at the dinner.  Normally she has at least 40 donated coats but so far she only has about six.

"We still need coats and I'm sure it will come in the day before and then we can pass them out because we do get a lot of homeless," says Svec.

Despite the increased preparations this year Svec says it's the point of the annual meal that she hopes people realize.

"They don't have to make reservations for me, just show up and that's good....get out of your situation and come down for the day and enjoy yourself.  it will be an uplift for awhile," says Svec.

If you would like a meal delivered to your home on Thanksgiving or need a ride to Trinity Lutheran Church you can call: (231)-263-7130