Funding is low, need is high at Havre Food Bank

It's been a bad year for the Havre Food Bank, and employees and recipients of the food are feeling the effects.

Cash donations are down, federal support has dried up and demand for food is way up, said executive director Penny Velk.

As a result, Velk has been cut back to 30 hours a week and less food is being given to people.

During 2010, 11,000 people benefited from free food, she said,.

"We gave out 2,631 boxes of food," she said.

During the average month, the food bank gives out 219 boxes of food; that's up from 120 per month last year.

Some community groups are stepping forward to help...