A nationwide study reveals a huge increase in the number of people relying on Southern Wisconsin Food Pantries, for their food. This is an outcome of the growing slump in the economy, with majority of the people falling short of money.

Second Harvest President, Dan Stein says, "I think the numbers that we saw were astounding but we weren't surprised. We're running a race and running it faster than we've ever run before but it seems like the finish line keeps getting moved further and further out".

In the last 4 years, Southern Wisconsin's Second Harvest food bank has witnessed an 83% increase in the number of people, they help. Out of the 141-thousand people they serve, half are children.

The local pantries are facing a food shortage because of the increasing demands. Czerkas says, "Almost every week we get new people that they look like they're in the wrong place. Some people are working several jobs trying to keep their buildings, their houses, so there is no more money left for food."

Second Harvest serves a 16-county region in Southern Wisconsin including Dane County, at present.

"It can get a little crazy in here with the amount of people and food we are sending out", Antonia William, one of the residents who gets served by the West Aid.