Supply is down and demand is up at area food banks and pantries as the Miami Valley heads into the traditionally busy holiday season, a trend that matches what administrators are seeing statewide and across the country.

"We're making it," said Burma Rai, executive director of The Foodbank, part of America's Second Harvest. "But barely."

Rai said on Monday that her organization is facing a 7 percent increase in food requests but a 4 percent decrease in donations from a year ago. The Foodbank averages 3 million pounds of food distributed per year through 95 programs to 48,000 individuals — half of whom are children, she said.

There are several reasons for this trend, said Rai and Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks. Surplus donations have decreased because manufacturers have improved their need estimates, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has dropped contributions by 81 percent.

There is greater need because of rising costs and job losses, they said. Consumers are paying more for gas, utilities and housing, which cuts into food purchases. Corn prices have risen, which means farmers pay more to feed their livestock.

In the past year, the needy have seen their distribution fall from a supply of five to seven days to three to four days, and they can receive the goods once a month instead of the previous three times per month.

All of those factors lead to busier food banks and pantries. Many smaller operators said they were too busy Monday handling requests to discuss the local situation.

There are other organizations working to relieve need.

The Dayton Salvation Army held its official Christmas Campaign Kick-Off on Monday, the first day to sign up for holiday food baskets.

And this morning, Panera Bread and The Foodbank will partner to distribute frozen turkeys at The Foodbank's downtown location.

But for many organizations, the situation is still bleak. "Last year's food bank donors are this year's food bank clients," Hamler-Fugitt said. "And unfortunately, there is less food to go around."

How to help feed the area's hungry

The Foodbank and other area food banks or pantries need donations. To learn more about what products The Foodbank needs or how to help, contact:

The Foodbank, 427 Washington St., Dayton (937) 461-0265.

The Dayton Salvation Army is accepting applications, 9 a.m. until noon today at 138 S. Wilkinson St.

You also can donate through Valley Food Relief, which continues through Jan. 4.