The saddest ones are those who have donated in past years, and now find themselves asking for help.

But that's what the New Hampshire Food Bank is seeing as the holidays approach, according to its executive director, Melanie Gosselin. "It's such a disheartening phone call," she said.

The Food Bank, which serves 405 agencies across New Hampshire, has already received more than 15,000 requests for Thanksgiving assistance -- nearly as many meals as they distributed between Thanksgiving and Christmas combined in 2008, Gosselin said.

And that's why this year's Tons of Turkeys campaign, co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News, is more vital than ever for the greater Manchester community, she said.

►Annual Tons of Turkeys campaign

The annual food drive supports both New Hampshire Food Bank and New Horizon food pantry in Manchester.

In response to the growing need, area businesses are stepping up their own support, according to Lucie Chakmakas of WZID/96.5 The Mill, which has organized the annual food drive for seven years.

That first year, the campaign raised two-and-a-half tons of food; last year's total was more than 39 tons. "This year, it'd be great to get 50; that's our goal," Chakmakas said.

"The unemployment rate and the economy have definitely had an effect, and the need's going to be greater this year," she said.

Bellwether Community Credit Union, which has supported the food drive from the beginning, is doing so again, with employee contributions and food collection sites at all its branches.

And Bank of America is also helping again this year, starting with a $50,000 donation through its charitable foundation.

The bank is also collecting canned vegetables at all of its financial offices, including banking center branches, Merrill Lynch offices and home mortgage locations (formerly Countrywide), according to M.J. Driscoll, community relations manager. Those offices will also have envelopes available for cash donations to the Food Bank.

Hannaford supermarkets are participating in this year's Tons of Turkeys drive at 10 locations: stores in Bedford (Jenkins Drive and Colby Court locations), Concord, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, Manchester (John Devine Drive and Hanover Street), and Raymond.

Shoppers can purchase $10 Fund-a-Feast boxes that provide all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, between now and Nov. 21. The, on Saturday, Nov. 21, organizers will be collecting turkeys that shoppers can buy and donate that day.

"It's pretty easy. A lot of people do their grocery shopping on Saturday mornings. Just add a little bit to your cart if you can," Gosselin said. "We'll take anything."

WZID/The Mill's general manager, Ray Garon, will don what has become his traditional turkey suit to accept contributions and thank shoppers for participating; and 96.5 The Mill will broadcast live from several locations.

That same day, the food will be redistributed to area families through the Food Bank and at New Horizons. "It's literally in one door and back out the other door serving families," Chakmakas said.

Chakmakas believes the Tons of Turkeys program has been so successful because folks know they are directly helping to feed area families. "I think people like the idea that it's local and they're physically giving something that you know is going to be used."

"It's amazing," she said. "Even the people that are barely getting by will do it because it's affordable."

Gosselin said she's found folks are happy to help. "Sometimes it's just giving people the opportunity to give," she said. "Food is so basic that everyone can relate to it."

"We're so fortunate here in New Hampshire, people step up to the plate when we ask," she said. "It's just unfortunate we've been continually asking. But this problem isn't going away anytime soon."

Teresa Robinson, community relations manager for the New Hampshire Union Leader, said many of those in need this year have never asked for help before.

"It may be your next-door neighbor or a familiar face," she said. "Someone who just needs a little bit of extra help at the holiday time."