JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Even in difficult times, the generosity of the people of Jacksonville comes through. On Monday, the community rallied to help stock the shelves of a local food bank and make Thanksgiving dinner possible for dozens of families.

People stood in line for hours at the Mandarin Food Bank to receive a free turkey and other food for Thanksgiving dinner.

"If it wasn't for these people and the wonderful job they do, we wouldn't have Thanksgiving dinner," said Mary, a school bus driver and mother who stood in line for two and a half hours. "To help all these families who are in need at this time, they are very good people."

Organizers said the turn out for Monday's food bank beat expectations.

"We always come around 250, maybe 275 at the most. This year, we had 250 families in line at 7:30 a.m.," said Mandarin Food Bank co-director Bonnie McNulty.

The outpouring of food and help came in just the nick of time for the food bank. Over the past month, schools, churches, private donors and businesses like Publix and Panera made the handout possible.

"They heard the need and they responded," McNulty said.

In addition to the food donated to make the food bank possible, community members also donated their time for the good cause.

"We asked each class to bring a different type of food," said one student volunteer.

"Today, we had about 25 people volunteer to help," said a member of the Rotary Club.

The Mandarin Food Bank had enough food to provide for everyone who showed up Monday, but it may not have enough when the same amount show up next month for Christmas. So, organizers said they do need donations to continue flowing.

Anyone wishing to contribute can bring food to 11730 Old St. Augustine Road.