BUFFALO, N.Y. — For the 24th straight year, St. Luke's Mission of Mercy is providing free Thanksgiving groceries to thousands of families in Buffalo. 

People lined up around the block and waited hours for their bags filled with food at the mission's annual Thanksgiving giveaway Tuesday. More than a thousand volunteers packed the bags and handed them out.

In all, the mission served more than 2,700 families over the past two days, and leaders say the demand is growing.

"It's just a blessing that we're able to help the people because more than ever, people are in need, said Gino Grasso, St. Luke's Associate Missionary. "They need it. I handle all the donations that come in, and we're serving more people every day. But we've been blessed that we have enough donations coming in that we can help the people.

The mission will also host a hot Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, with plans to feed 2,400 more families for Christmas. Their annual holiday toy drive is now underway, as well.