Joan Laufer, who runs the Baltimore North Cluster Food Bank at Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Parkton, didn't really want to fight tropical storm Hanna's driving rain on Saturday to go shopping, but the food bank's supplies were low.

Knowing that Graul's Market had a sale on hot dogs and chickens, she loaded them into her shopping cart and paid with a check from the food bank account.

"I haven't seen things this bad in months," she said.

The food bank held its own this summer, she said, thanks to donations of fresh vegetables, but that is ending as summer draws to a close. She said the number of customers the food bank serves has increased.

Laufer said the food bank could use everything from canned meats, soups and spaghetti sauce, to cereal, peanut butter and jelly.

North County's other food bank, located at Hereford United Methodist Church, is in the same situation. Director Ruth Robertson said it serves more families than ever, about 40 a week, and donations are down.

"Everybody thinks about us at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but right now, we need everything. It's going out as fast as it comes in," she said.

The Baltimore North Cluster Food Bank is located at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 19308 Middletown Road, and is open Mondays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Donations may be dropped off when it is open or at other times by calling the church office at 410-343-0729.

Checks made out to Baltimore North Cluster Food Bank can be mailed to Box 211, Monkton, MD 21111.

The Hereford Food Bank is located on Monkton Road, next door to Hereford United Methodist Church at 16931 York Road, Monkton. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Donations may be dropped off during those hours, or by calling the church office at 410-343-0660. A donation basket is also located at Graul's.

Checks made out to the Hereford Food Bank can be mailed to Box 400, Monkton, MD 21111.

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