The Anniston Soup Bowl is celebrating 25 years of helping feed the city's homeless and hungry.

Executive Director Linda Turner said the need is bigger than ever.

"This year and last year have been our two busiest years," said Turner, who's been with the Soup Bowl for 21 years. "People are having a hard time."

She said the soup kitchen is feeding about 116 people a day now, up from about 95 a couple of years ago.

Turner said the bad economy means more people need help. It also means people can't donate as much.

"Our food costs are through the roof; our utilities are rising," she said. "People who normally donate to us are having a tough time financially."

But Turner said "little miracles" always seem to keep the Soup Bowl afloat.

One such miracle helped at the soup kitchen on Wednesday for its Thanksgiving lunch. People were treated to a rare feast that day, with turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes and vegetables replacing the usual soup, chili or casserole.

A group of women calling themselves the Pie Patrol pitched in and brought more than 20 pies for dessert.

Brandy Musick of Oxford organized the group after a Facebook friend did the same thing in Ohio.

"The response from local friends was crazy," she said. "Yesterday, I had my 9-week-old strapped to my back and 12 pumpkin pies all over my counter."

Musick said the group plans to keep up the pie-making for local charities.

Addie Grant, 66, of Anniston enjoyed the pie, along with other Thanksgiving specialties at the Soup Bowl on Wednesday.

She said she visits the soup kitchen every once in a while. That time, she brought her granddaughters.

"It's just a good place to be able to come and have a hot meal," Grant said.

She must've taught her granddaughters to eat healthy. Kalena, 9, and Shaleiyah, 7, said their favorite part of the meal was the English peas.