Food pantries nationwide are noticing a severe shortage — to the lowest levels some have seen in decades — as more and more families find themselves unable to afford higher-priced food (plus gas, shelter and other necessities of daily life) and as fewer donations are coming in (with grocers cutting back on their giving in an effort to squeeze more profits out of “not quite perfect” foodstuffs).

Take, for example, this section from a round up of national food pantry shortage stories posted at Daily Kos (read the whole thing for perspective on how wide-spread the issue is):

Dramatic price increases in food, gasoline, heating oil and other basics is resulting in a “perfect storm,” making this already the worst winter Tom Gifford, executive director of Beverly Bootstraps, has seen in 15 years. People have to cut back on food, making pantries a necessity, he said.

“Those economic factors are really grinding families down,” he said.

In Illinois, you can donate food at many local township and village offices, as well as churches and other places of worship. Or, you can find a local foodban, soup kitchen or shelter through the regional Second Harvest depositories located throughout the Prairie State. Canned veggies and fruits plus powdered milk and other staples are vital.

And while most people think of the holidays as good times to give the need is year round. Tummies don’t magically stay full just because giving spikes around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Finally, next summer, consider “growing an extra row” — plant some extra vegetables in your garden (or for the first time if you haven’t gardened before) then donate the fresh veggies to your local pantry for distribution.