DES MOINES, Iowa — Organizers for the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner say they’re seeing a greater need this year as a result of the government shutdown.

For nearly 41 years, dozens of volunteers gathered at Chuck’s Restaurant in the Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines on Thanksgiving Day to cook and distribute hundreds of holiday meals for community members in need.

The first Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held in 1984 and helped feed 100 people. Last year’s event, the 40th anniversary, provided 2,700 meals.

New this year, dine-in and carry-out meals will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. For the first time, only delivery orders need to be requested in advance. The Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner board started accepting delivery requests on Monday at 9 a.m.

By 5:00 p.m. on Monday, they received over 590 meal requests.

This was a larger need than in previous years, according to Hilary Whitfield, the board president of the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

“When our phone number went live, the volume was quite extreme. So, I’m really thinking we’re seeing the effects of the government shutdown,” she said.

By Wednesday, the nonprofit had already exceeded 1,000 delivery requests.

Despite the elevated need, Whitfield says they are excited to help the community for another year.

“I’m really excited to see how it works out and just really happy to provide another Thanksgiving meal for the community,” she said.

The event also attracts hundreds of volunteers. Last year, 345 volunteers helped cook, package, distribute, and clean up for the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Whitfield said the nonprofit still needs some more volunteers this year.

According to Whitfield, they are at an 83% capacity for volunteers and are still in need of delivery drivers and volunteers to help clean up.

Community members can sign up to volunteer at a specific time and for a specific task online. People can also donate to the cause. $10 helps fund one meal.

Those who want to request a delivery can call (515)875-5229.