OAKLAND — Much of 2009 hit thousands of East Bay residents with some hard times — especially as jobs began disappearing — and a free holiday meal open to everyone was a welcome relief to many Tuesday.

About 2,000 people waited in line for a free Thanksgiving meal at the Oakland Marriott City Center downtown. Many have come to count on the annual meal for a boost to their spirits.

"I'm a journeyman plasterer, unemployed and broke as a son of a gun," said 51-year-old Bruce Lacy, who lives in East Oakland's Walker House, a halfway house. Lacy said he's living on welfare while he struggles to find regular work in a troubled industry.

"It's hard and it's stressful, but as long as there's a light at the end of the tunnel I think I can make it," Lacy said, waiting in line for his meal of turkey, ham and several sides and fixings. "This is like a breath of fresh air on the way. You need these kinds of things to keep you going."

Carey Whiteside, 56, said he will have to work on Thanksgiving and he saw Tuesday's meal as his celebration.

"The first bite warmed my stomach," Whiteside said. "It was feeling kind of cold and empty and this was perfect."

Many families came to the event as well.

"It's quality food," said Saveka Williams, who came with three generations. "It's a heartwarming environment and you can really see how many good people there are in Oakland."

Alameda's Stephanie Villalobos, whose son

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is 12, said she was moved when she saw a teenage boy helping serve people at their tables.

"It's a beautiful thing to see," she said. "I think that's just wonderful, to see the values that we need back this year. I don't think the kids are getting to grow up with the values we had, and that's what makes me so grateful about this."

Organizer Gesunda Roy-al-Shipp, who has helped plan the event for the city's Community Housing Services three years in a row, said demand is higher than ever for the meal.

"If you are not able to physically come down and volunteer, you can always call and donate. We figured out it costs $12.63 to serve one of these meals to somebody. If you can give even just that much, it means so much to the people who come in."