In an effort to make sure no one went without a meal this Easter Sunday, volunteers served hundreds of meals to the needy at the Capital City Rescue Mission. Matt Hunter reports.

ALBANY, N.Y. –- Unlike the small, intimate gatherings around many Capital Region tables this holiday weekend, the Capital City Rescue Mission's Easter dinner draws together well over 1,500 people; most of them homeless, needy or with nowhere else to go.

"They're good people here,” said one woman named Dolores who attended the meal Sunday afternoon. “They give you a good meal and treat you wonderfully."

"This is our first time and we love it,” said Jackie Lenord, a North Greenbush resident who volunteered along with several family members.”We're so happy to be here."

Starting at Noon with an Easter prayer service, organizers said the Mission's annual meal seems to be drawing a larger crowd each year as the economy continues to struggle.

"The economy has been more difficult and the homeless and needy suffer first and they're here and I'm glad they're here,” said Perry Jones, the rescue mission’s executive director. “It's been a very festive day."

To make sure attendees went home with a meal that included all the fixings and that every kid left with plenty of candy, dozens of volunteers have given up part of their holiday.

"My day is going absolutely wonderful, these people are a blessing,” said Margy McKenna, a volunteer from East Bern. “I love this place, I come here as much as I can to volunteer."

"It's so unbelievably organized, it's unbelievable. You just feel so good, we feel much better here, " Leonard said.

"It's a home away from home when you're family is deceased,” Dolores said. “I count my blessings. Amen."