Austin hungrier than ever

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Cars streamed into the Capital Area Food Bank on Monday, as several agencies throughout Central Texas prepare for the busiest Thanksgiving they've had yet.

"We can't keep food on the shelves, the demand is so high," said Sherry Childers with Jubilee Christian Center in South Austin. "We have elderly people, single moms and those without homes coming to us every week because they can't afford food anymore."

The Jubilee Christian Center uses the food bank for its Saturday food giveaway to the needy in South Austin. But, this year they're having to use the church's money as well to get enough food for Thanksgiving.

"Food is expensive!" said Childers, who understands how those on tight budgets are struggling to feed their families nourishing foods.

And, having enough healthy food is a problem at many of the hunger crisis centers in Central Austin.

"Food is going out so fast that by the time an agency has the opportunity to order that food comes around, the highly nutritious product, the product that they need the most has already been taken," said David Davenport, CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank.

The food bank usually gives out about 15 million pounds of food a year. In the last 12 months, they have given out 22 million pounds.

Davenport said even if the economy does get better, the food bank will be as busy as ever.

"Things won't be looking up for the foreseeable future," he said. "My thought is this is the new normal for us."

Childers said she's just happy to help those who have lost their jobs over the last couple of years and plans to do whatever she can to keep food on their tables.

"They are always so very very grateful to get that food," she said. "It's very gratifying."

Best items to give:

• Fruits/vegetables
• peanut butter
• baby formula
• whole wheat/whole grain bread