INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Indianapolis Thanksgiving Day dinner traditions are stretching every donated dollar this month as they prepare to feed more people than ever.

The Mozel Sanders dinner and the Watkins Family Center are expected to provide holiday meals to more than 45,000 Hoosiers, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported.

But donations aren't stretching as far due to the struggling economy, and the threat of the H1N1 flu, organizers said.

At the Watkins Family Center, where they feed about 5,000 people a year, they plan to spend $300 more on gloves, hair nets and hand sanitizer this year, money usually spent on food.

They're also concerned about the health of their volunteers.

"If anybody is sick, I'm going to say, 'Please go back home," said Thelma Turner, who started dinner more than 20 years ago in her kitchen. "If they don't want to go back home, they don't want to fool with a 78-year-old woman!"

Meanwhile, organizers for the area's largest Thanksgiving Day event, the Mozel Sanders dinner, said they're expecting 5,000 more people asking for a hot meal this year.

Donations are steady, but the group has changed its wish list slightly to combat H1N1 fears.

"Generally, I'm asking for bags, plates and forks," said Stephanie Sanders. "I will be asking for sanitizers this year."

She said the event has plenty of volunteers, but needs money to cover expenses.

The group will have a phone bank to take donations from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The number is 317-927-1183.

The Watkins Family Center is also asking for donations, as well as people to drop-off food to people who aren't able to leave their homes. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call 317-299-8952.