CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  If you walked into New Outreach Christian Center Wednesday morning, you would have seen the church pastor hugging and thanking complete strangers.

"We need turkeys, miss," cried out Pastor Brenda Stevenson. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Stevenson's church, located at 3900 Gossett Avenue in west Charlotte, has given away turkeys to those most in need for 10 years now.   

Last year, they donated more than 120 turkeys. Stevenson says requests for a free turkey more than doubled this year because people are hurting due to the bad economy.  By Tuesday evening however, the church only had 43 turkeys to hand out when NewsChannel 36 filed a news report about the problem.

"What caught our attention was the anchor talking about people who once gave time to help the less fortunate are now requesting help themselves," said NewsChannel 36 viewer Karyl Barnett.

Barnett and her husband Les just happened to be at the church making a monetary donation Wednesday when we stopped by to get an update from Pastor Stevenson.

"We decided that instead of going crazy and entertaining and doing all of that, that we would give the money to people who really need it," said Barnett. "We certainly don't this year, thank God.  Next year I may be coming here for help. Who knows?"

By midday Wednesday, the church's donation supply had almost doubled because of last minute donations.

"The tables were empty almost. Today we stand -- I will call (it) a miracle," said Stevenson while pointing to a church table filled with grocery donations. "But to be honest with you, it's still not enough. We still need more turkeys."

If you'd like to help, you can drop a turkey off at the church, or give them a call at 704-398-1777.