The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday, and local nonprofits say they are hoping to see people give back.

After Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday encourages people to make donations to nonprofits and help others.

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission says it saw an increase in donations on this day last year and it hopes to see another increase this year. The mission serves 500,000 meals annually to those in need, and officials say every donation counts to make the meals possible.

To make it easier for people to give, the Salvation Army has introduced its online red kettle for donations. Major Lydia Pearson, from the Connecticut Salvation Army, says the organization saw a 76 percent increase in online donations on Giving Tuesday last year.