Times are tough, and perhaps there’s no better way to celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving than to warm the hearts and fill the bellies of those in need of a pick-me-up.

It was with that very thought in mind that the Knights of Columbus of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Lehighton made and delivered Thanksgiving Day meals for low-income families and those in need.

Mike Gonzalez, Grand Knight for Council 598 Knights of Columbus, organized the event and made the food and packed the meals at the former school attached to the church, which were distributed on Tuesday.

“Father Zelonis asked us to help him with the idea he had with passing out Thanksgiving meals,” Gonzalez said. “We brought parishioners, members of the community, who helped with prepping the food and delivering the food.”

Gonzalez said the process began at 4 p.m. Monday when they started cooking the turkeys. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, he said they began to prepare the potatoes, stuffing, green beans and gravy.

Along the way, Gonzalez said they received donations of baked goods from family, friends and parishioners.

Gonzalez said a total of 131 meals were made and delivered. Of those, 62 went to the Lehighton Hi-Rise on South First Street, while the rest were distributed from the church to the elderly and those in need, he said.

“It’s definitely a great feeling that comes from not only doing something good for the community, but also the times we’re in,” he said. “We spread everything out, but the feeling of togetherness was still there, and that feels fantastic.”

April Walker of Lehighton was among those who assisted with putting the meals together, counting them and making sure they had enough for the hi-rise along with delivering them to the community.

“It’s always good to do something for someone else,” Walker said. “It’s a blessing, and we hope that everyone has a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.”

Above all else, Gonzalez, co-owner of Pancho’s Mexican Food Truck, said he hopes to make this an annual event.

“It’s a full Thanksgiving meal that everybody’s getting,” he said. “We’re hoping to do this again next year and hopefully double it.”