COEUR d’ALENE — Each day draws us closer to November, which means it's almost time for Turkeys and More to order the food that will feed 1,700 local families this Thanksgiving.

"Holidays are stressful times when people are living in poverty or are the working poor," Turkeys and More director Evalyn Adams said Thursday. "Over 40 percent of people in the Coeur d'Alene area are challenged to pay all their bills and would not have money for a nice Thanksgiving dinner in their home."

Adams reported that Turkeys and More is behind its fundraising goal at this juncture, so the nonprofit is holding the BIG Gobble event to "gobble up" some cash and get the finances where they need to be.

The BIG Gobble will take place at the same time as the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association's First Thursday in September, when select merchants will stay open late and in-store events such as trunk shows and live demonstrations will be taking place.

Participating locations will have collection containers to "gobble" donations. Turkeys and More is also recruiting street musicians (buskers) to add their musical flair to the day and encourage people to contribute.

"Our main goal is to fight hunger and feed hope by providing a nutritious Thanksgiving dinner to folks in our community that could use a little boost," Adams told The Press. "By providing the turkey and trimmings to economically challenged folks, we know they will feel more hopeful about their future and will feel grateful that neighbors and others in the community cared enough to help out."

The BIG Gobble will take place Sept. 6 in downtown Coeur d'Alene from noon to 8 p.m.

To host a collection container or sign up for busking, contact Adams at 208-765-5535 or email [email protected].