Area food banks are feeling the strain of the economic recession while trying to keep their shelves stocked. Our C.J. Spang has more.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- There are still few empty shelves in the mostly-full Franklin Community Center food pantry. Employees say quickly as the food comes in, it goes out just as fast.

"Food banks are getting hit harder than ever with the economy the way it is. And we are seeing record numbers of people relying on us for services. In two months alone, we served over 1,000 people. We used to say that we served 3,000 people a year," said Bo Goliber.

"It's people who were in difficult situations before and those situations haven't improved. But there's also been the phenomenon of many, many new people who have never used a food pantry in the past. Actually, in many cases, never thought they would need a food pantry," said Mark Quandt of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

The continued recession, along with local disaster relief, has put a strain on area food banks. Now they're trying to make sure their shelves are stocked as we approach the historically busy holiday season.

"You hope that when things are bad and you need to do more, you're not in a position where you have to cut back. We don't want to be in that position. So we try to be out front. We try to monitor that and be as active and aggressive as we can, in making our needs known," Quandt said.

The needs at the Franklin Community Center can be greater, because employees say their goal as a private non-profit, is to fill in the gaps when other organizations can't help.

"The bottom line is, we're doing something really, really important. And I think in most cases, people will help if they can," Goliber said.

Officials say donations and volunteers are always welcome at area food banks.