With mounting economic troubles, some families will need all the help they can get during the holidays.

Jake Sessions, host of local TV gospel show “Up All Night,” is looking for donations and volunteers to help the needy with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

In his 19th year organizing the annual dinners, which feed residents in Troup County, and Lafayette and Lanett, Ala., Sessions hopes to serve 2,000 people each holiday.

More than 200 volunteers fed nearly 1,200 people both days last year, Sessions said.

“The economy is as bad or worse than it’s ever been since I have been doing this,” Sessions said. “We have 13 families who have volunteered for the last 12 years who will now be attending for the food because most of them lost their jobs recently.”

The holiday dinner program dates back to 1990 when Sessions hosted a program on radio station WTRP from midnight to 6 a.m. and began asking listeners to donate food for the needy. The event has grown each year since, he said.

This holiday season, volunteers expect to serve about 200 people on each date at Cannon Street Elementary School’s cafeteria at 115 E. Cannon St., and deliver food to anyone else requesting services.

“We are primarily looking for chefs and drivers,” Sessions said. “Some local restaurant employees or people with past experience preparing food would be a huge plus. But we also always could use more help with serving and cleaning as well.”

Cranberry sauce, dressing, turkey and vegetables are most needed food items, Sessions said.

“That’s all we need to make a good holiday meal,” he said. “Anything else will be more than welcomed, but if you are plan on donating food, those are what we are looking for the most. You can make a very good meal from just that.”

Other items needed include ham, drinks, des-serts, carryout containers, cups, napkins and cutlery.

“We would just like to thank anyone planning on donating or volunteering,” Sessions said.

Donations can be made at Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home at 201 Hamilton Road, Parmer Brothers Grocery at 1698 Vernon Road, Roots & Branches Beauty Salon at 801 Hamilton Road or TV 33 at 303 Fort Drive.

Anyone wanting to donate or volunteer was asked to call (706) 884-6963, (706) 845-8833 or (706) 881-2642.

Donations also can be picked up.

Volunteers were asked to arrive at Cannon Street Elementary School any time from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov 27 and/or Dec. 25.

Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.