Roberta Steinle doesn’t have an explanation why those seeking assistance under the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program dropped by about 8 percent this year even though, according to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, needs are greater this year.

Steinle said 578 registered for food assistance for Thanksgiving, which is down from more than 600 last year. Although registration for assistance ran from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3, Steinle, who is project coordinator for the city Department of Human Services, said she is always open to emergency requests.

As has been the case for years, Neighbors Helping Neighbors matches requests for assistance with community providers; serves a gathering point for monetary donations and acts as a clearinghouse for requests so that some people end up with multiple holiday baskets while others are overlooked.

Once again, Warwick Catholic parishes are stepping forward to provide most of the Thanksgiving Day baskets, a total of 299. St. Gregory the Great Church is assembling 150 baskets. Other parishes also providing baskets under the program include, St. Benedict, St. Rita, St. Kevin, St. Rose and Clement, St. Peter and St. Catherine.

Steinle said baskets are matched with families while generally $20 Stop & Shop gift cards are given to individuals who tend to be residents in the city’s housing complexes.

Over the years the program has been able to build reserves that enable it to meet yearly costs averaging about $19,000 and setting aside current donations to start next year’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

So far this year, Steinle said the program has received about $2,000 in donations. She expects that will increase with proceeds from City Hall dressdown days, the traditional firefighters “fill the boot” drive as well as corporate and individual contributions.

As for a decline in assistance requests, Steinle speculated it might have something to do with the move of Human Service offices from the Buttonwoods Community Center to Range Road behind Thayer Arena. She said she has no way of gauging whether needs have diminished, although she hopes that’s the case.

As a partner in the drive, donations can be mailed to the Warwick Beacon, 1944 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI 02889. Those making donations whether through the city or the Beacon will be listed in the paper unless they request otherwise.

Steinle said there are usually fewer Christmas assistance requests than those for Thanksgiving. She didn’t have totals as of Monday and was still working on basket donations. In addition to Thanksgiving baskets, she said St. Kevin and St. Peter Churches have committed to Christmas baskets. Traditionally, the Rotary Club of Warwick also assists with 100 baskets.

Should there be a surplus of baskets – probably no more than three or four – Steinle said she would reach out to Warwick schools to see if they are aware of special needs.