ALFRED — At a time when demand is up and donations are down, York County Shelter Programs hopes to provide about 1,500 boxes containing turkey and all the fixings to families in need next week.

“It’s exciting to get a turkey you can cook,” said Joan Sylvester, community relations director at York County Shelter Programs on Wednesday. “I know, for me, that Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without a turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce.”

Food Services Director Martha Huestis said the holiday food boxes mean so much to people at a time when they find themselves in need of support.

“There’s a sense of relief because there’s so much pressure on the holidays,” she said. “Most people (who receive boxes) can’t buy a turkey.”

Huestis said the organization is seeking $10 donations in addition to food donations and turkeys. The boxes include: A turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, fresh potatoes, winter squash, two cans of vegetables, one can of fruit, bread or rolls, rice or pasta and sauce, a dessert, and soup or a canned meal.

Despite the difficult economy, Huestis and Sylvester stressed that no donation is too small. People often bring in a few canned items, and one woman asked if she could donate $5 ”“ to cover half the cost of a turkey ”“ and the answer is always “yes.”

“Everything is used,” Huestis said.

 And while donations from businesses and supermarkets have slowed, others have risen to the occasion. Huestis said local farms donated all of the winter squash that will be in the Thanksgiving boxes, and also provide fresh produce to the food pantry, which is

open year-round.

On Wednesday, three volunteers were working in the pantry at the York County Shelter Programs, which has its home with the Brothers of Christian Instruction on Shaker Hill Road in Alfred.

“People who come here are some of the nicest people,” said Ron Robichaud of Sanford, as he helped box up items for food pantry clients.

Robichaud is retired and said he likes to help out at the food pantry, along with Rachel Paquet of Lyman, who was assisting clients Wednesday.

Paquet said, as a volunteer, she has seen a great increase in demand. Sylvester said the average number of boxes given out at the food pantry is about 70 a day ”“ up from about 50 last year. The food pantry gives out about 14,000 boxes of food a year.

On Thursday, the program handed out 91 boxes, which is the highest ever for one day, said Sylvester.

The need for Thanksgiving boxes has also been increasing every year, and the women say every bit of support and each donation will help.

“The numbers are just flying up,” Huestis said, and the support is appreciated, she said. “People are so grateful.”

As are the staff members at York County Shelter Programs.

“We appreciate everything people can donate ”“ year-round,” Sylvester said.

Donations of turkeys and food for the holiday boxes is still being accepted, and Huestis said anything left over will be used in the food pantry or for the Christmas food box program. Monetary donations can be mailed to York County Shelter Programs, P.O. Box 820, Alfred, ME 04002 or made online at www.yorkcountyshelterprograms.org.

The Thanksgiving boxes will be distributed starting on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. Registration is not required. For more information, contact York County Shelter Programs at 324-8811.

— Associate Editor Robyn Burnham can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 329 or rburnham@journaltribune.com.