IMMOKALEE, Fla. - The season of giving kicked-off early Thursday morning in Immokalee. Residents stood in line for hours outside the Salvation Army, hoping to reserve food for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas.

"It's wonderful to just be able to do what we're here for, to help those in need," said Michael Missey with the Salvation Army.

Nearly 200 people lined up outside the Immokalee Salvation Army, forms in hand, waiting to register for Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas toys for their children.

"This is a really poor, impoverished area, farmers, migrant workers, so it's really poor, especially with the economy as it is today," said Missey.

The line began forming well before 9:00am and they're expecting over 500 people to show up over the course of two days.

Applicants were asked to bring proof of residence; a photo ID, green card, or birth certificate.

The Salvation Army then gave each family a receipt telling them when to come back to the center and pick-up their holiday help.
  
"It's really important because people like me can't afford sometimes, at least they get something, something small but it's from the heart,"

Another Salvation Army application opportunity is scheduled for October 22-24 in Naples.