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Food banks and pantries serving the Latino community have seen an increase in requests this year.
In August, Tu Agencia Latina, a local food pantry, assisted 330 families. In September, it assisted 400 families.
Mi Casa Su Casa, a Latino advocacy organization, donated food to 111 families in September 2009, compared with 80 families in September 2008.
"We are receiving the same amount of aid as last year, but have a higher demand," said Kay Carter, executive director of Second Harvest, which has seen a 40 percent increase in requests from Latinos. "We hope more people will support us."
Using food from the Loaves & Fishes food pantry, Mi Casa Su Casa provides food to 30 Latino families a week.
The assistance is intended to be enough food for two to three weeks.
Tu Agencia Latina, directed by Patricia Conception, is only a few months old, but already does extensive work. It assists people through a collaboration with Living Waters, Food Lion, other businesses and people in the community who donate emergency food.
"We provide food for 100 families a week, Monday and Wednesday between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. This aid can be received once every 15 days and only for two months so not to create a habit," Conception said. "This is based on emergency needs."
