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ALBANY, GA -- "I’m happy to be here," said Veronica Lanier. "Thank God for what St. Claire’s is doing for everybody. I’m happy. I’m blessed."

Veronica Lanier is just one of many local residents that depends on St. Claire’s for help making ends meet.

"It’s hard for a lot of folks at the holidays," said Sister Lanier. "Some are hiring for the holidays, some ain’t and they’re struggling to try and make it."

It’s a story Sister Veronica Weygand hears everyday.

"We do have so many people in this area who really need help, who need assistance," said Sister Veronica.

Sister Veronica says she’s had more requests for turkeys this year than ever before. She’s expecting to give away over 250 of them before the end of Thanksgiving.

The holidays are especially tough for Eugene Smith and his wife, Angela - she was shot several years ago and is confined to a wheelchair.

He thinks others don’t realize how lucky they are.

"You can see it everyday by the cars they drive and the way they dress, it’s people that go overboard with things and that affects people who really need it," said Smith.

Oakie Dawsey is drawing disability and says every penny he can save comes in handy.

He sees the generosity of St. Claire’s as a beacon of hope.

"You got to know how to utilize what you have," said Dawsey. "You can’t just go out there and spend on everything when you don’t have the money. And for everybody to come together and build, I think it’s a solution if you put it in action."