thousands of cars line up at the food counter

(CNN) – Thousands of people lined up to buy groceries at a food bank distribution event in Dallas, Texas this weekend, and organizers said the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the need in the city.

According to spokeswoman Anna Kuruan, the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) distributed more than 270 tons of food to around 25,000 people on Saturday. 7,280 turkeys were given to families, Kuruan told CNN.

Photos provided by NTFB show thousands of cars lining up for the Food Bank’s Drive-Thru mobile pantry in Fair Park. Kuruan said the need for food “has certainly increased” with the pandemic. Last week, Texas became the first US state to report 1 million cases of the coronavirus.

“Forty percent of the people who walk into our partners’ doors do so for the first time,” he said.

“I see blessings come to us because we are all in trouble. And I appreciate North Texas helping us, ”Dallas resident Samantha Woods told CNN affiliate KTVT as she waited in her vehicle.

“It’s really fantastic and I thank God I was able to line up this morning.”

In another car, a woman told the station that she was in trouble: “I haven’t worked since December. I can’t find a job, they cut my unemployment benefit; it’s a big problem. It’s a big problem “.

NTFB President Trisha Cunningham said she is proud of her team and community “for providing hope and care during these extraordinary times.”

“It was a moving scene to see so many in need,” he told CNN.

NTFB has several mobile pantry events scheduled throughout the week.