Salvation Army of Wake County desperately needs food donations

“To come in and see the pantry this low was a bit of a surprise," said Adams. “Typically this time of year, all these shelves are filled, that’s about 1,000 to 1,500 cans to have this whole place filled,” Adams said.

Many local families need extra help in the winter, some reaching out to the Salvation Army for the first time. But even during the season of giving, the Salvation Army is in desperate need of food donations.

Two days a week, 25 families trying to make ends meet and get bags of groceries from the pantry, Adams said. Lately because of the bare shelves in the pantry, the number had to be reduced, forcing some families to go without.

“Instead of doing 25, we cut back to 17, and when we came into the pantry to fill out those bags, we didn’t even have enough for those 17 families. We had to go out and purchase items so that we could provide them with groceries,” Adams said.

Adams said the drop in donations could be linked to the outpouring of support after Hurricane Matthew.

“We’re hoping this turns around quickly that we’ll get people in the holiday giving spirit, so that these shelves will go from a couple of items to absolutely full,” she said.

Adams also touted the Salvation Army's "Adopt a Shelf" program. Churches, civic or community groups can adopt a shelf and just keep it stocked. Donations can be dropped off anytime at the Salvation Army's Center for Hope on Capital Boulevard.