COLUMBIA, MO. -- Columbia firefighters came to the rescue on Monday night, not to fight fires, but to fight hunger.

Members of the Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 1055 delivered 20 frozen turkeys to Almeta Crayton’s “Everyone Eats” Thanksgiving Program for needy families.

This is the 14th year that the Columbia Firefighters made this type of donation while challenging other fire and police departments to do the same thing.

Some families would not have a Thanksgiving dinner without this holiday program.

“We enjoy doing this every year," Crayton said. "We make sure that people and families are fed. During these economic times, we are really facing a lot. We have a lot of people this year.”

“Thanksgiving is just days away right now," Firefighter Danny Spry said. "There are a lot of people that don’t have things on that table. There are a lot of us that are fortunate out there that do have things. It would be nice to get down here and donate what you can. Come by and say hi to Miss Almeta. Make sure that everybody eats with us this year.”

Crayton and her volunteers still need more donations of turkey, chicken or ham. You can donate them fresh, canned or frozen.

You can drop off the food at Columbia’s St. Luke Church on East Ash Street.

The “Everyone Eats” program provides food baskets for needy families and a place to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day.