Collectively feeding thousands of people free Thanksgiving meals requires hundreds of turkeys to be prepped, dressed and presented.

Many local organizations handed out cook-at-home holiday baskets, several churches hosted holiday meals this past Sunday, and now some nonprofits are gearing up for large-scale sit-down hot dinners in the coming days.

SPRINGS RESCUE MISSION

Springs Rescue Mission’s crews have birds with all the expected fixings ready to serve to 600 people Wednesday at its annual holiday banquet, which will be dished up the day before Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the city’s largest adult homeless shelter and reintegration campus at 5 W. Las Vegas St.

The event is open to the public and provides a hot traditional holiday meal along with meaningful community connection, companionship and essential supplies for people who are homeless or low-income.

“This is an opportunity for men and women experiencing homelessness to feel the warmth of community this Thanksgiving,” President and CEO Travis Williams said in a statement. “There is real hope to be found here — hope that can begin with a nutritious meal and a kind word.”

Also offered will be a festive hot cocoa bar and a pop-up winter wear shop with complimentary coats, hats, gloves and socks to help people stay warm as temperatures drop.

The celebration takes place inside the campus’ 10,000-square-foot dining hall and is first-come, first-served.

The nonprofit rescue mission also serves a Thanksgiving meal at New Life Church’s Hispanic church, Nueva Vida, which raises the estimated number served for the Thanksgiving holiday to more than 1,500.

THE SALVATION ARMY

Volunteers from Fort Carson began cooking 2,500 Thanksgiving meals that the local branch of The Salvation Army will serve on Thursday at several locations across the region.

The hot meals will be served in person from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Salvation Army’s headquarters, 908 Yuma St., in Colorado Springs; Fountain Valley Senior Center, 5745 Southmoor Drive, in Fountain; Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., in Manitou Springs; and Woodland Park Nazarene Church, 900 Evergreen Heights Drive, in Woodland Park.

Clients at the organization’s Family Hope Shelter, Colorado Springs’ main emergency shelter for homeless families, will also receive free meals.

Fourteen volunteer culinary specialists from the Fort Carson Culinary Academy kitchens will work day and night to prepare the holiday meals for distribution, according to the Army installation. This is the 38th consecutive year for Fort Carson’s participation.

The volunteers will prepare 300 turkeys, eight cases of green beans, seven cases of mashed potatoes and six cases of stuffing. The food, seasonings and foil pans were donated by local organizations. Donated pies also will be available for diners.

The locations decorate with a holiday-style environment and offer camaraderie amid a light-hearted celebration.

THE MARIAN HOUSE SOUP KITCHEN

What’s on the menu for Thursday at this soup kitchen that serves a free hot lunch to anyone who walks in the door seven days a week: turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, green salad, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, gravy, bread/rolls and pie.

The annual holiday meal will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at 14 W. Bijou St.

About 25 to 28 turkeys are being cooked under the direction of Chef Jeff Zearfoss of The Carter Payne, a historic downtown church repurposed into an event center and restaurant.

He’ll oversee the turkey prep with his famous mayo-basted spatchcocked turkey.  Rumor has it that the method ensures the turkey is moist.

About 50 volunteers will serve, many of whom are newcomers, said Rochelle Schlortt, spokeswoman for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, which runs the soup kitchen.

“People who have the day off like to come — many bring their families — and participate in cooking and serving the meal,” she said. Volunteers are asked to donate a can of whipped cream or a pie for dessert.

The Rev. Chance Billmeyer, pastor of Our Lady of the Woods in Woodland Park, who has a background working at homeless shelters and is an executive board member for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, once again will serve the pie so he can personally wish each diner a Happy Thanksgiving.

The organization expects to serve up to 300 people, which Schlortt said is lower than normal because of the various options for people on Thursday.

CROSSFIRE MINISTRIES

For anyone who was unable to register or receive a ticket for a Thanksgiving box, there is still an opportunity to pick up a free box of traditional holiday food at Crossfire Ministries, 3975 N. Academy Blvd.

The remaining boxes will be distributed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

A thrift-store funds the organization’s charitable services that include no-cost groceries, clothing, utilities assistance and other assistance for low-income people.

AND THEN THERE’S THE TURKEY TROT

The 28^th annual YMCA Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning has become a family tradition for many in the Pikes Peak region. More than 3,500 registrants have signed up to walk or run, and registration is still open at ppymca.org/turkeytrot.

The Kids’ Tiny Trot, a free fun run, kicks off at 8:15 a.m., Thursday, followed by the Turkey Trot 5K at 9 a.m. Both races are stroller and dog-friendly. Costumes are encouraged.

A holiday-season tradition, the race series raises funds for YMCA programs, including fitness, child care, swim lessons and youth sports.

“The Turkey Trot embodies everything the YMCA stands for — community, health, and gratitude,” Theresa Johnson, chief operating officer of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region, said in a statement.