It's Thanksgiving, and Metropolitan Ministries is again doing its all-important work helping of those in need.

The charitable organization expects to serve nearly nearly 6,000 hot meals today in Tampa, Safety Harbor and Holiday.

If you think it's a challenge preparing one big turkey dinner for family, consider what the Metropolitan Ministries staff kitchen staff is pulling off:

They started preps last Friday and arrived as early as 4 a.m. today at the Metro kitchen on Florida Avenue in Tampa to start cooking. And how much food are they making?

  • 2,100 pounds of turkey.
  • 3,200 pounds of mashed potatoes
  • 90 gallons of gravy
  • 2,500 pounds of vegetables
  • 750 pies

Meals started as early as 11 a.m. in some locations.

Metropolitan Ministries helps the needy in many other ways. To donate or for more information, visit the organization's website.