The Mercy Center Food Pantry in Asbury Park is doing what it can for those in need as Thanksgiving nears.

The organization will be giving out Thanksgiving essentials from now until Friday.

The executive director says that food access is a big problem in parts of Asbury Park.

"Today, we're making sure everybody gets a Thanksgiving. Mercy Center has made an effort to reach out to the community for the holidays and all year round, and Thanksgiving is one of our biggest holidays. We'll see people across the street getting turkeys and all of the fresh fixings that go with it,” says executive director Kim Guadagno.

The Mercy Center food pantry is open every weekday and will continue to operate its regular facility while offering Thanksgiving meals across the street.

Guadagno previously served as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor under former Gov. Chris Christie.