WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – Charities that focus on providing free food to those in need say it’s been one of the toughest years because of inflation and reduced donations, and they need your help.

“What we see is food donations are kind of flat this year. And so the food bank has had to spend more money purchasing the foods that we need to supply to our neighbors in need,” said Kansas Food Bank President Brian Walker.

Walker says the economy is wreaking havoc on charities like his this year with skyrocketing food prices.

Just before Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army’s shelves looked like this – totally empty.

Walker says it’s a double-edged sword because not only is there less to give, but it’s our most vulnerable residents needing more help.

“We’re seeing the percentage of seniors that we serve increase pretty dramatically. You know, it usually ran around 10%, for years, and now our latest data has shown it’s like, 25% of the people we serve are seniors,” Walker said.

“This time of year, it hits really hard,” said Romero.

Romero says hundreds of families lined up, and before long, the parking lot went from packed with fresh food to completely empty.

“It makes me feel very, very happy. Very content that our community is being served, and other communities as well,” Romero said.

But Walker says they still need help because while they’re holding on right now, the need in the community is only going to increase.

“We had our first taste of winter, right, and so that means larger heating bills, you know. Cars break down more in the wintertime. So all those things start affecting folks that rely on food assistance more when it gets colder,” Walker said.