NEWPORT NEWS – With the economy, more people than ever are calling on charities for help.
This Friday begins the 3-day Mayflower Marathon to get food for the Peninsula and Southside foodbanks.
Calls to the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula are up 25-percent from last year.
'We're just seeing so many families in need of food. Right now, it’s the hard-working adults that are out there trying to make ends meet. They're not sure if they're going to have a meal a day or meals for several days," said spokeswoman Donna Tigh.
On Thursday, soldiers from Ft. Eustis sorted and packed items for 900 children in 15 schools who are part of the Backpack program. It gives the children food for the weekend.
Need is up at The Salvation Army and the Angel Tree can help fill the demand.
Select an angel from a tree at more than 50 locations around the region and purchase two or more items for a child, according to information on the tag.
Maj. Lewis Reckline recommends winter clothing.
"The colder it gets with time, it would better for these young people," he says.
