Local food needs spike as holiday approaches

"I appreciate it, I'm blessed, and I'm glad these people are here for me."

Those words from Tanya Dozier of Albany Wednesday as she picked up a frozen turkey and the Thanksgiving trimmings from the Trinity Institute food pantry.

The 39 year old mother of four children said without the generosity of a food pantry there would be no Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Dozier said there have been many nights when she went to bed without food because of what she called "the hard times.'

The federal government says across America there are 49 million people who fell into the category of having 'food insecurity' in 2008 and they project that number will spike much higher for 2009.

Mark Quandt of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York says across the Capitol Region food pantries are seeing a 20 percent to 100 percent spike in the numbers of people seeking help putting food on the table.

Quandt says "it's pretty desperate for a lot of people right now."

The Regional Food Bank has lauched it's holiday food drive seeking donations from the public. Quandt hopes they will be able to match or exceed last year's $420,000 dollar donation tally.

Quandt hopes the bad economy will not stop donations because he said conditions are not going to get any better any time soon.

To donate to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, click here.