DAYTON — The city is on the brink of a "food crisis" as a result of Sunday's windstorm, said Linda Crouch-Roepken, associate director of The Foodbank, 427 Washington St.

"We have a stressed hunger-relief network because demand is up 20 percent over last year," Crouch-Roepken said. "Add to that the fact that this storm has knocked out power for so many people — the working poor, people on welfare, the middle class — they're having to throw food away. In addition, neighborhood pantries have been without power. We are facing a hunger crisis in our community."

To supplement food supplies, The Foodbank is holding an emergency food drive through Friday, Sept. 26. Nonperishable goods can be dropped off at The Foodbank and at fire stations in Englewood, Moraine, Dayton, Eaton, Centerville, Vandalia and Huber Heights.

At the Catholic Social Services food pantry, 922 W. Riverview, marketing and development director Regina Estep said the individuals being hit hardest by the food crunch are children.

"Most folks we see have children," Estep said. "If you look at the number of people in the household, well over 65 percent of the food goes to children in this community.

"I have talked to several clients who have said their food literally spoiled in their refrigerators and they don't have the resources to replace it. The bulk of the people that come here haven't signed up for food stamps yet."

Outside the pantry, Dayton residents Dorothy Campbell, 19, and Kenny Lankford, 20, said they are staying with friends after losing power to their home on Sunday. Campbell estimates they've lost $200 worth of food, and the couple came to the food pantry to replenish groceries.

"It's hard to eat. We have no food. We've been eating chips and sandwiches," Campbell said.

The Catholic Social Services food pantry is open from 5-7 p.m. Monday and from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

People with food stamps who had to discard their food can apply to receive replacement food stamps 9a.m.-6 p.m. at The Job Center, 1111 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., now that power has been restored to the building.

About 5,500 food stamp recipients gathered Wednesday at the Dayton Convention Center to apply for the food stamps. Another 5,200 people applied Tuesday, said Ann Stevens, spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Department of Job and Family Services. Roughly 27,000 county residents receive food stamps.

"If you got food stamps in September and your food has spoiled because of the power outage, you can declare how much food you have lost and get reimbursed," Stevens said. "We are also taking new applications for food stamps."

How to help

Organize a canned food drive at your church, office or school.

Volunteer. The Foodbank has 11 employees, but needs 300 volunteers.

Drop off food. For more information, call (937) 461-0265 or visit www.thefoodbankdayton.org

Plant-a-Row is a program that makes it easy for gardeners to donate fresh food to pantries.

If you are in need food, dial 211 — that's the United Way's emergency food hotline.