With their coupon vouchers in hand, dozens of local residents stood in line along Railroad Avenue on Tuesday morning, waiting to receive the centerpiece to their Thanksgiving dinners.

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry and SCV Rotary Club held their annual turkey giveaway in an effort to help needy families celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Any family can run into hard times," Food Pantry executive director Belinda Crawford said. "There is a great need within this community and we simply try to help those families the best we can."

Several volunteers distributed nearly 100 turkeys within the first 15 minutes. Additionally, they provided families with boxes or bags prepared by local organizations filled with items such as canned vegetables, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

The food pantry distributed coupons to its clients weeks ago in preparation for the event. Each coupon designates the number of food items to provide each family based on the number family members.

"I've been coming here for years because they really make a difference," said one Canyon Country resident and food pantry client. "I'm thrilled to be able to cook the turkey myself for my four children on Thanksgiving."

The SCV Rotary Club purchased approximately $2,500 worth of turkeys provided by the Marie Callender's restaurant in Valencia to give to food pantry clients, according to former club president John C. Burkhartsmeyer.

More than 20 club members volunteered their time to pick up and distribute turkeys, while additional pantry volunteers organized the food items in the days leading up to the event.

"This is just a chance for me to give back to those that helped me," said John Tugman, a volunteer and former food pantry client. "In the past I've taken advantage of what they offer, so I'll do anything I can do to help this community."

Saugus resident Sara Floyd has volunteered with the SCV Food Pantry for the past seven years. A retired teacher, Floyd says she began volunteering throughout the community in order to gain a wider view of society by learning the different perspectives of others.

"We work as hard we can. We take the food, sort it out and prepare it for the clients," Floyd said. "It's like an assembly line."

In addition to volunteering with the food pantry, Floyd also volunteers at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center.

"I believe people should be well fed, healthy and, if possible, should enjoy the arts," she said.

The SCV Food Pantry was established in 1986 by community volunteers to provide food donations on a short-term basis to qualified local residents.

Through the organization, 60 volunteers work to organize and distribute food to over 950 families with approximately 1,500 children in the valley. The Food Pantry also serves an average of 130 senior citizens each month.

To increase its percentage of families served throughout the valley, the food pantry recently expanded its service to include Acton and Agua Dulce residents and is looking for opportunities to increase outreach efforts in the Canyon Country area.

The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is located at 24133 Railroad Ave. in Newhall.