The holiday season, a normally joyous time filled with social get-togethers, has arrived.

How will it look? How will it feel? How will it affect already rising COVID-19 numbers?

Like it or not, we are about to find out, and this much we know is true:

Thanksgiving gatherings may be smaller as family and friends try to safeguard loved ones from an unpredictable virus. Food offerings may be limited as households experience economic uncertainty and pandemic-triggered job losses. And for thousands more this year, there may be an empty seat at the table because of a father, mother, aunt, uncle, son, daughter, friend or cousin who died — whether it be related to COVID-19, a separate illness or another tragedy.

So before the feasting and thanks-filled day arrived, volunteers and organizations across Southern Nevada tried to ease the silent burdens people may be carrying by providing meals to anyone in need. The vehicles lined up, and the volunteers donned face masks and other forms of personal protective equipment. The Nevada Independent photographer Daniel Clark captured some of the scenes in the lead-up to Thanksgiving Day.