There’s an annual Thanksgiving tradition in Wareham where needy families are given all the fixings for a proper turkey day feast. However, that was in danger of disappearing until three community groups came together.

On Monday, Gleason Family YMCA staff, volunteers from the Wareham Area Clergy Association, Turning Point and others distributed 200 turkeys and boxes filled with donated food.

“One purpose of the YMCA is to serve the community, and when this opportunity became available we thought it was a perfect fit,” said YMCA Executive Director Debbie Fringuelli.

In the past, the ingredients were collected and given out by the now defunct Community Resources Network. According to volunteers, food has been given out just before Thanksgiving for at least 25 years. Last year, Turning Point, a Wareham-based service organization, offered to distribute the meals.

Because Turning Point also hosts a large gift drive this time of year, the group found it difficult to coordinate both events.

That’s when the YMCA stepped forward. With support from the Wareham Area Clergy Association the three groups helped keep the tradition going.

Cathy Longfield, the YMCA’s membership engagement coordinator, said her organization’s effort wouldn’t have been successful without the many donors.

“It was a blessing,” said Longfield. “Without them we couldn’t do this.”

Potatoes were donated by Jonathan Sprouts in Rochester, squash came from Share the Harvest Farm in Dartmouth and the boxes that held the food were given by Wareham-based Walecka Movers.

As for the birds, online grocery retailer Peapod donated all the turkeys.

Helping to hand out all the food were high school students who are part of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. The group is often seen around town pitching in for a variety of community service events.

“We’re here to help out,” said Joshua Lima, a senior and Corps member for the past three years. “It feels good to give back to the community.”