Associated Press - November 25, 2009 8:44 PM ET

DENVER (AP) - Volunteers are helping serve thousands of free Thanksgiving meals in Colorado.

Gov. Bill Ritter joined more than 50 volunteers serving up a Southern-style feast to about 500 people Wednesday at the Denver Rescue Mission's annual Thanksgiving banquet.

Attendees received hats, gloves and scarves and a chance to call families courtesy of Qwest.

In Colorado Springs, about 4,000 people received free Thanksgiving meals at the Springs Rescue Mission. Meanwhile about 30 Fort Carson soldiers and family members were working with Salvation Army staff to prepare about 4,500 more dinners to be delivered in the Colorado Springs area.

On Thursday, Ritter's family and volunteers from the Sheraton Hotel and Westin Tabor Center will help serve 300 Thanksgiving dinners at the Samaritan House in Denver.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.