News 12's Tom Campbell serving up beverages at the Garlic Clove's Italian Thanksgiving Dinner 2011. (WRDW-TV / Nov. 21, 2011)

News 12's Katie Beasley captures the scene at the Garlic Clove's Italian Thanksgiving Dinner 2011.

News 12's Meredith Anderson helps with the garlic bread at the Garlic Clove's Italian Thanksgiving Dinner 2011.

News 12's Tim Strong serving iced tea at the Garlic Clove's Italian Thanksgiving Dinner 2011.

News 12's Tom Campbell serving up beverages at the Garlic Clove's Italian Thanksgiving Dinner 2011.

Sheli Muniz and Richard Rogers at the Italian Thanksgiving Dinner in Evans. (WRDW-TV / Nov. 21, 2011)

Meredith Anderson and Richard Rogers with Chef Jeff, owner of The Garlic Clove. (WRDW-TV / Nov. 21, 2011)

News 12 First at Five / Monday, Nov. 21, 2011

EVANS, Ga. -- It's an annual event to make sure a pair of local food pantries have enough food for families during the holidays.

Many of News 12 family members donated their time as waiters and waitresses, including News 12's beloved anchor Tom Campbell.

We were rolling up our sleeves all for a good cause.

"A lot of people don't realize that a small amount of money buys a lot of food for the food banks to stock them and help so many people," said The Garlic Clove owner Chef Jeff Freehof. "It just seems at this time of year, with it getting colder and with Thanksgiving coming that people use the food banks more and unfortunately in our economy, I think, from what I've heard ... more and more people are using the food banks. They've had a really hard time keeping the pantry stocked."

The meal was free and donated by the restaurant but donations were collected and will be split between The Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Columbia County Cares food pantry.

Organizers say this year's turn out was the best in a few years. They raised more than $5,000, which is double the amount from last year.

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