"We try to give out a week's worth of food, which comes out to about 28 lbs. a week for food," Anna Lisa Hunter said.
Hunter is the executive director for the Community Center of Hope. At the pantry, food is literally flying off the shelves.
"We have never had numbers like this," Hunter said. "We thought 300 over the summer was a big number. And January blew that out of the water."
In January, 563 people visited the pantry, and Hunter expects the numbers to get worse before they get better.
"I think there are a lot of problems people are facing right now," she said.
With work harder to come by than ever, many have no choice but to turn to food banks.
"I go down to the Job Service [Center] once a week," Pat Hrobsky said. "We fill out applications online there. I do my own search at home. It's rough out there."
Hrobsky moved to north central Wisconsin just six months ago.
"They promised me a job and it fell through," he said. "By the time I got up here and got settled, it was gone."
Now, he says money is starting to run out. Thursday was Hrobsky's first time at Hope Food Pantry, but as he struggles to find employment, knows this won't be his last.
"I would go hungry because just like everybody else, I rely on it," he said.
It's a challenge Hunter is concerned about, but knows donations and dedicated volunteers will get the pantry and its patrons through this difficult time.
"We've never run out of food," Hunter said. "No matter how many people have come through. And that says a lot about the strength of our community overall."
To donate food or volunteer, click here: Community Center of Hope
