To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ASHEBORO, N.C. — The Salvation Army in Asheboro is appealing to the public for help as donations to the Army's food pantry on North Church Street have slowed to a trickle.

Officials said it's not unusual for donations to dip in the summer months, but it's been particularly tough this year as the number of people needing food continues to grow. Near empty shelves tell the story as donations to the pantry are down.

"We are running out of food,” said Capt. Curtis Kratz. “Normally we run out of food during the summer months because people are on vacation and they're out of town and they're just not thinking about giving. They're thinking about what am I gonna do for vacation, and then, of course, the school year comes and the Salvation Army is down in donations both monetarily and with food, as you can see."

And as the recession continues, the number of people knocking on the Salvation Army's doors continues to increase.

"About a year and a half ago we had something like 8,000 clients,” said Glenda Nelson, a Salvation Army social service worker. “Now it's over 10,000."

With donations slumping, the pantry is sending them home with less food than normal.

"We try not to do that, however, as you can see, as of this moment they're getting less because we just don't have as much,” said Kratz.

Making the problem worse, said Kratz, is the misconception that the Salvation Army only needs donations during the Christmas season.

"They just don't realize that the Salvation Army is a year round organization,” he said. “We work 365 days a year."

The pantry needs just the basic necessities.

"Peanut butter and jelly is wonderful because that will last them a long time,” said Nelson.”Mixed vegetables. Any kinds of canned meat."

Kratz hoped the public would respond and said every little bit helps.

"If you're able to go out and just bring five or six cans, don't think that that's not enough,” said Kratz. “That's more than we may have and that may help that client. And God can expand those small donations."