NEW YORK (CBS 2) — Archbishop Timothy Dolan takes a hands-on approach to help needy families.

The archbishop was handing out turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples in Harlem Tuesday. The event was a pre-holiday food giveaway conducted by the Catholic Charities group.

Dolan said he was especially thankful to those who work to feed the needy all year long.

“These people are an inspiration, aren’t they? I mean they come and they seem so happy and peaceful and grateful, and here they don’t have anything. I guess that’s what Thanksgiving is all about,” he said.

Catholic Charities said its goal is to provide food to more than 12,000 people during the course of this year’s Thanksgiving celebration.