Food bank operators in Port Angeles and Port Townsend are seeing an increased demand for their charity services.

At the same time, they say cash donations that normally come in are being diverted to hurricane relief funds in Louisiana and other disaster-stricken Gulf states.

“We want to pour our hearts out [for hurricane relief] and we need to do that,” said Major Hal Hads of the Port Angeles Salvation Army.

“But also please remember that there are local people hurting.”

Hads said that in August, the Salvation Army served 2,700 free meals to needy people of all ages.

“That’s much higher than last year,” Hads said.

“And, of those, 121 people had come here for the very first time.

“It’s putting strains and stresses on having enough material for people.”

In Port Townsend, the situation is similar.

“We’re getting a lot of new families,” said Helen Kullman, director of the Port Townsend Food Bank.

Last Wednesday, the food bank gave away food to 165 families, Kullman said.

A year ago, the weekly average was about 120 families.

“Cash donations are way down since Katrina,” Kullman said.

“It’s a good cause, but I just hope they don’t forget us in the long run.”

Volunteers needed

The Port Angeles Food Bank gives away more than 2,000 loads of groceries a month to individuals and families, said manager Mikki Saunders.

While the food bank is usually open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a lack of volunteers prompted Saunders to temporarily shut down the food bank on Wednesday.

“We need volunteers all the time,” she said.

Saunders said she’s seen larger numbers of homeless families and unemployed residents at the food bank in recent months.

“It’s really heartbreaking,” she said.