Last year, Kris Roglieri and his friends helped hand out more than 300 turkeys in less than an hour as part of the Big Give Back Initiative.

He vowed to be back with more turkeys and more help this year.

“We said for next year we would go big, so we’ve got a thousand turkeys here, along with the fixings for it,” Roglieri said. “So a thousand meals, and we are just trying to get the word out to give away as many of these as possible this year to families around the Capital Region.”

Every box contains a 14 pound turkey, along with some accompanying sides to feed families this holiday season.

This is the second year Rogleiri partnered with US Foods to host the event.

He says it’s all about giving back, after what has been a challenging year for many.

“Just hearing the comments from people, not that we want praise, but people saying they don’t know what they would’ve done for Thanksgiving without this, that’s what it’s all about,” Roglieri said.

It takes a lot of helping hands to package and distribute 1,000 meals.

This year, volunteers came from all over, including a couple of teenagers from the Young Men With Purpose group.

“It helps out a lot, because like I said, you help out community and other people that really can’t afford stuff that they can,” Azari Johnson, a volunteer from the group, said.

Hundreds of cars came through, leaving with a full meal to bring home, along with smiles, and wishes to have a happy Thanksgiving.

“That’s what this is about,” vice chair of Community Leadership Team Thomas Mueller said. This is community, this is people giving back and people having a happy holiday. There’s nothing better than that. Seeing people from the community come together to help each other out, that’s what it’s all about.”

The group handed out 1,000 free meals in over two hours to families from across the Capital Region.