As the holidays charge toward us and visions of shopping malls dance in the heads of eager gift givers, The Desert Sun hopes our readers will take the time to help hungry people.

You always do.

Dozens of local groups work hard all year to feed the homeless and working poor, but the need never feels so great than at this time of year when many of us enjoy a bountiful harvest and more rich food than we should have in one sitting.

According to Feeding America, one in eight people in the United States goes to bed hungry every night. In the Coachella Valley, where seven out of 10 schoolchildren live with low-income families, the problem is at least that bad.

Among the major groups helping the hungry during the holidays:

Martha's Village & Kitchen

The Indio-based organization, which serves more than 500,000 meals each year, will hold its third annual 5K (3.15-mile) race/walk in La Quinta Park Thanksgiving morning. It's a good way to reduce the effects of all that stuffing.

Also, the SunLine Transit Agency will hold its annual Fill the Bus food drive on Thursday. Buses will be at the Ralphs Grocery on East Canyon Drive in Palm Springs and at Stater Bros. on Highway 111 in La Quinta from 8 a.m. to noon. They also will visit the Ralphs on Washington Street in Bermuda Dunes and Stater Bros. on Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

And Souplantation of La Quinta has stepped up with a unique promotion to help Martha's Village hand out more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meals. The philanthropist who donates the most items gets 52 free meals, one a week, at the restaurant.

The promotion began Monday. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 23 at Souplantation, 79-705 Highway 111, La Quinta.

Donations also can be dropped off at any Wells Fargo Bank branch in the Coachella Valley through Nov. 24.

Donations are accepted year-round at Martha's Village, 83-791 Date Ave. Information: (760) 347-4741.

Shelter from the Storm

The Coachella Valley's primary provider of emergency shelters for victims of domestic abuse is seeking donations of turkeys and fixings for Thanksgiving dinners for more than 100 women and children.

Food can be taken to the Palm Desert office, 73-555 Alessandro Drive, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. Information: (760) 674-0400.

The Well in the Desert

The Palm Springs nonprofit agency's mission is to feed the homeless and the working poor. This year's Thanksgiving feast will be served at St. Louis Catholic Church, 68633 C. St., Cathedral City.

Donations can be made at 1911 E. Baristo Road. Information: (760) 327-8577.

FIND

FIND, an acronym for Food in Need of Distribution, is the biggest food bank based in the Coachella Valley.

Founded in 1983 and based in Cathedral City, FIND distributes food to 140,000 valley residents a month, including 40,000 children, through 93 agencies.

Information: (760) 775-3663 or visit www.findfoodbank.org/Donations

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

The mission is asking for turkeys, canned gravy, stuffing and canned vegetables as part of Operation Drumstick. On Wednesday, the mission will start distributing more than 4,500 Thanksgiving dinners to men, women and children in need.

Donations can be dropped off at 47-518 Van Buren St., Indio. Information: (760) 347-3512 Ext. 221.

This year, as the recession continues its terrible toll, the need is greater than ever. As you count your blessings, take the time to help those who don't have quite so many blessings.