COEUR d'ALENE - Countless pallets of cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, bread for stuffing and other Thanksgiving essentials wheeled into the food bank warehouse of Community Action Partnership Tuesday, thanks to Turkeys for All.

"You can't just have a turkey without the trimmings," said Turkeys for All founder and president Jim Myers. "We are delighted to adapt and serve a crucial need."

Turkeys for All is dedicated to ensuring families in the community have a nice Thanksgiving dinner. The nonprofit organization donated $11,500 in food to Community Action Partnership to help provide those well-rounded holiday meals to those in need.

"They have no clue what they've done for us," said food bank manager Carolyn Shewfelt. "They have completely changed our Thanksgiving program by their hearts and vision. We're not having that panicked struggle trying to feed 2,500 families on a certain day without the amount of resources we need and the time we need to prepare to feed them."

Shewfelt said the food bank starts preparing for the holiday season in June, when she begins to look at databases, food prices and volunteer availability. Myers and his wife, Debbie, personally helped fill the bags the food bank will be giving to feed families in the community this season.

"It was a real thrill," Jim said. "It was a special moment because it wasn't like we had it delivered and never saw it. We were putting the foods into the actual bags."

The $11,500, in addition to previous TFA donations, amounts to $18,000 for 2014. TFA is able to purchase the donations from Super 1 Foods at the grocery store's cost.

"With their support, we have been able to spread our budget further," Jim said.

Although getting turkeys on the table is huge for TFA, Jim said he wants people to focus on giving the whole year through. As someone who has experienced financial hardships and was once dependent on a food bank to feed himself and his son, Jim said he is blessed to now be in a position to influence others to help those who are struggling.

"You can just look people in the eye and say, 'We've made a difference.' We've been able to put food on the table when there wasn't any," he said. "When somebody does you a good turn, I think you owe it to the next person to pass it along."

The food bank at Community Action Partnership has about 4,000 families on its register. Shewfelt said she expects to serve 2,500 families this Thanksgiving. Using Second Harvest's calculations, Shewfelt said, every $1 donated provides six pounds of food.

"I'm just so thankful because I couldn't imagine not being able to take a moment with your family and count your blessings," Shewfelt said. "When you count your blessings you forget the bad things. When you think about positive things and the things you have going for you, it's just amazing."

Info: www.idahocommunityaction.org/partnerships/partnershipscap