SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — When severe weather is in the forecast people tend to stock up on groceries; however, grocery stores aren't the only place gearing up for the increased demand.
On, Tuesday, food pantries across Maine prepared to receive a large number of families shopping before the storm.
"We have seen an uptick with the storm and the holidays. There’s a lot more folks coming out," Peter McNamara, South Portland Food Cupboard's warehouse manager, said.
The food cupboard served 54 families Tuesday morning, according to its Operations Manager, Jim Welch.
Welch said the demand for food is always high this time of year, but the sheer number of families in need is only growing. He said there's been a 10-15% increase in new applications for food assistance every week.
“Demand is still right there. We’re still moving a lot of product," Welch said.
However, food pantries can only help families when they have the supplies. Welch said the number of donations "dramatically" drops off after the new year and through the spring season.
"One of the best things you can donate is something that you like, that nobody else in the family likes, but you like that certain 'stuffed olives.' Please donate. A jar of stuffed olives means all the world to them because they could never buy it at the store," Welch said. "If it makes a difference to you, it will make a difference to them, too."
Currently the South Portland Food Cupboard feeds 800 families, serving up 19 tons of food per week. McNamara said items they are in need of are peanut butter and canned meats, like tuna or chicken. If you want to learn more about their food wish list, click here.
Sandy Bragdon with the White Memorial Food Pantry in Portland said their food pantry has seen up to 150 families some weeks. Around this time last year, they'd been serving about 80 families per week. She said she feels the economy "is the biggest factor in the increase in demand.”