DENVER -- Southwest Airlines is donating $50,000 in turkeys to the Denver Rescue Mission for Thanksgiving.

The donation is the largest turkey donation in the Denver Rescue Mission’s history. The money should buy more than 4,000 turkeys.

The turkeys will be distributed to families at this year’s Thanksgiving banquet-in-a-box and will be served at this year’s Thanksgiving banquet. Additional turkeys will be distributed to families in need through churches and other nonprofits across the Denver Metro area.

"Southwest Airlines is committed to Denver, and our commitment includes helping the less fortunate. In these challenging economic times, we’re grateful for the opportunity to step forward to support the Denver Rescue Mission," said Dave LaPorte, Southwest’s Station Manager in Denver.

The Denver Rescue Mission will serve the turkeys purchased by Southwest and other donors beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 25, during the Thanksgiving banquet. Additional items needed for the Thanksgiving food boxes include canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned pumpkin, boxed stuffing, canned cranberries and canned yams. Donations can be dropped off at the Denver Rescue Mission’s Lawrence Street Shelter at the corner of Park Avenue and Lawrence Street.

Southwest Airlines employees from Denver also will volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission to help prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving banquet.