Food banks across the country are experiencing a shortage of donations and an increase of people in need of assistance. However, there has been not change in the level of donations or the number of people in need.

According to a recent New York Times article, some food banks are experiencing such dramatically decreased donations and have begun rationing their supplies. The situation is different in Ames and surrounding communities.

Gilbert Petersen, executive director of the Nevada Community Cupboard, said although the number of those in need has increased, so have donations.

“Over the past 10 years, I’d say that both donations and those coming to get them have increased,” Petersen said.

Petersen said the Nevada Community Cupboard averages about 76 people in need of help per month. He said one way he cuts costs is by purchasing from the food bank in Des Moines.

“When I took over 10 years ago, I started buying from the food bank in Des Moines because you can buy by the pound, so a can of beans costs the same as a bag of cereal,” Petersen said.

Petersen also said community donations in the form of money and food have helped keep the cupboard stocked.

“I feel very fortunate,” Petersen said. “I have money coming in from Crop Walk; I have another family that donates $50 to $100 every month.”

Although the community donates to the cupboard year round, the number of donations increases around the holidays, Petersen said.

“The number of people donating increases significantly at this time of year,” Petersen said.

Food pantries are also located at many of the churches in the Ames community. Like the Nevada Community Cupboard, many have not seen the shortages experienced by other cities.

Alicia Ardoin, Office Ministry coordinator for First Evangelical Free Church, 2008 24th St., said its food pantry sees an average of four to five people per week.

“This is pretty typical for the year, but I’d say numbers are higher in the wintertime,” Ardoin said.

Ardoin said monetary gifts help support the pantry.

“The majority of food comes from the monetary gifts from church attendees,” Ardoin said.

Like the Nevada Community Cupboard, Ardoin said the number of donations compared to visiting the pantry has been consistent over the last few years.

Lynn Elrod, pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1403 24th St., said they have also seen a consistent number of donations and people coming to the pantry in recent years.

“The demand or the usage is pretty consistent,” Elrod said. “We had weeks and times where we might not see anybody, those are rare anymore.”

Elrod said the pantry doesn’t seek outside assistance, but there are resources available for those who need help.

“We’ve always had enough money and one time the last family that came took the last that we had and that’s unusual,” Elrod said. “But we’ve never run out.”