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Raleigh food pantry seeks public's help filling empty shelves

After last year's tornadoes on April 16, the Salvation Army's Raleigh food pantry was so full the agency had to store items in another warehouse. It was a much different scene Friday morning.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — After last year’s tornadoes on April 16, the Salvation Army's Raleigh food pantry was so full the agency had to store items in another warehouse. It was a much different scene Friday morning.

Bare cupboards have replaced the fully-stocked pantry, and Salvation Army officials are asking for the public’s help.

“You walk in, and it’s empty,” said Haven Sink, director of public relations for the Salvation Army of Wake County. “In just a week or two’s time, these can go from full to completely empty.”

Hundreds of people count on the food pantry for their basic grocery needs each week. If more donations aren’t made, “we’ll have to cut our appointments at least in half for how many families we are able to help with food,” Sink said.

“Families just haven't been able to give as much as they normally have, and there are other families in need who were never in need before,” he added.

People donate a lot around the holidays, but those supplies usually run out within a few months. The need lasts all year.

“(It) takes a lot of food to feed 50 families each week,” Sink said. “That's not a luxury. That's a necessity.”

For information on donating money or non-perishable food, visit the Salvation Army's website.

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