File Photo/Shelley Hanson Members of the Wheeling Fire Department help load food into people’s vehicles during a past food giveaway. This year’s Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the North Wheeling Community Dream Center. It will be a walk-in event instead of a drive-through.

WHEELING — Those in need of help to fill their family and friends’ bellies on Thanksgiving Day can get that assistance during the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the North Wheeling Community Dream Center.

Suff. Bishop Darrell Cummings, pastor of Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, said this is the 33rd year for the event that began in 1990. The center is located at 407 N. Main St. The giveaway occurs at the rear of the building.

He said people will once again be welcomed to come inside the building and pick out the items they want and need for a nice dinner for Thanksgiving, which is Thursday.

In addition to receiving a turkey, people will also get the fixings needed to make a full spread including vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy and more.

Cummings said he is hopeful they will also be able to give pies away, but noted the price of the desserts have “increased substantially” compared to last year.

Cummings noted everyone in need is welcomed.

“They have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be ashamed of if you need help and not come and get it,” he said. “One reason we do it is because there was a time I needed help. I wasn’t eager to do it but I thought my family was important enough to get help.”

Cummings said the giveaway does more than just provide food for those in need.

“Hopefully we’re showing the love of God and our community and trying to help each other,” he said.

The giveaway typically sees between 300 and 500 people arrive though as many as 1,000 have shown up. There are no income or residency requirements.

People from the church and community volunteer to help put on the event including members of Wheeling Fire Department, Wheeling Police Department and Ohio County Sheriff’s Department.