COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Thanksgiving is not here yet, but that did not stop thousands of Colorado Springs residents from celebrating Wednesday.

The Springs Rescue Mission hosted its annual Thanksgiving banquet at City Auditorium for those in need.

"This year it is pretty hard. I have a baby girl and she is five months and it is kind of hard making it through this year. Everything is up and down and things like this help everyone, it is a godsend," Angelique Medina said.

Medina enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with her mother, sister and brother. The family said they have been coming to the banquet for years.

Officials with the Springs Rescue Mission said more than 3,000 people were expected to attend the event.

"We are certainly finding at the mission that a lot of people are struggling with the economy and just this time of year, and trying to provide for their families," said Rev. Joe Vazquez, chief executive officer with the mission.

Vazquez said they have seen a 30 percent increase in the need for help over one year. He said the community has been extremely helpful with donations and added this is the time of year they are needed most.

"Even despite the struggles we are dealing with in the country and locally with the economy many of us our still fortunate and have homes and jobs while others are not as fortunate, so giving back to those that really need it is what we are all about," Vazquez said.

Along with food, those in need were also given haircuts, dental check-ups, coats and flu shots.

Vazquez said more than 300 people volunteered to help from a variety of businesses and churches.

To learn more about the Springs Rescue Mission and how you can help them with their Christmas meal click here.