MORGANTON, N.C. — Bags are being packed at Burke United Christian Ministries for people in need. The nonprofit is no longer able to allow people to shop for their food. Instead, volunteers are doing it for them.

The problem is more people are needing help due to COVID-19, and less donations are coming in. The shelves are pretty bare. The organization is running low on many items like cereal, soups, mac and cheese, and those pop top cans that can be given to anyone.

Executive Director Alice Horton says the staff members are working hard to provide as much food as possible to families, but with Thanksgiving coming, they are worried.

They did receive a donation of 100 turkeys, but that will not be enough to feed their families. They are also low on canned vegetables but are working hard to give each family at least one piece to their Thanksgiving meal.

They are asking if you go shopping to pick up some items you would want for your Thanksgiving meal to help as many people as possible.

“Pick up the cranberries, pick up the green beans, pick up the potatoes, pick up the things you would want at your holiday meal, and then we can have them here for people in need," Horton says.

Horton says donations can be dropped off at Burke United Christian Ministries.