Local food bank needs helping hands

THEODORE, Ala. - Tough economic times are making it a lot harder for some families to put a hot meal on the table. It seems now that the holidays are right around the corner, the demand for food is growing even more. There's a non-profit organization that could use your help.

Workers at the Bay Area Food Bank have been extremely busy these days, preparing to distribute food to shelters and pantries across the central Gulf Coast.

"People who have never needed food, the working people who paid their mortgage and do the regular family thing, they are struggling for the first time. People who used to be donors are now needing food," Jacqueline Barnes with the Bay Area Food Bank said.

Barnes said the recession has had a major impact on the food bank. This year there's been a 30 percent increase in requests. So far those needs have been met.

"Money that people donate gives us the opportunity to buy particular types of food. So what we're able to distribute is a well rounded supply of food and good quality food," she added.

Barnes expects the demand for food to grow another 30 percent over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The bank buys some food but also relies on drives and donations. They need more generous hearts and helping hands.

"We need about 15-20 volunteers everyday except Sunday," Barnes said.

Every box, bottle and can has to be inspected. So the bank needs more volunteers to process, sort and wrap the food.

Workers have already begun preparing for the Thanksgiving rush.

"The boxes will contain all that's needed for a Thanksgiving meal, set for a family of four," she added.

Barnes said she's confident the food bank will meet those needs. Each time a box is lifted it will raise a family's spirits.

"It's a very heartening thing to see the generosity that people have displayed during this trying time," Barnes said.

To find how you can donate food or find food in your area, click here .