Long lines show increasing hunger

NORFOLK, Va - Distribution day for families eligible for the USDA's Emergency Food Assistance Program. At the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, a stream of people walked into a room, to wait for food. Staff and volunteers kept moving in the warehouse. A steady flow of boxes moved toward waiting families. Some parents missed work, so they wouldn't miss an opportunity to feed their children.

Shakia Jemison explained, "I get food stamps and I work. But it's very hard with the way the economy is now, everything is jacked up, so the foodbank helps withwhat social services doesn't cover...I come here and it basically helps me until the next month."

Jemison arrived at the foodbank early. "I actually stood in line for an hour and I was willing to wait 'cause I knew that once I got inside I would get the help I need," she said.

The line that started before the doors opened was nearly double the amount usually seen at the Tidewater Drive location. The Friday distribution is only for families making less than an amount set by the USDA. For example, a two person household making less than $21,000 or a four person household making under $31,800 was able to pick up food Friday. More than 300 people were served.

For the first time, Norfolk widow Judy Williams stood in the cold, wet line. She told WAVY.com she was grateful she could feed her three young grandchildren.

"It's a blessing that we got somewhere to go and get the things we need," Williams said.

The foodbank is a recent discovery for a lot of people who've hit hard times. 

Last May, Craig Matthews lost his job. He said that a few months later, his mom's health deteriorated. Her insurance only covers a couple of hours of home health care. "I'm there from 11 o'clock until she goes to bed. So I'm pretty much her aid after 11 o'clock in the morning."

Before 11a.m. an aid is helping Matthews' mom. So on Fridays when people line up for food, he helps other families take food to their cars at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

"I receive food once a month and the weeks I don't receive food I come here and volunteer," he said.

The Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula does not have public distribution at its location - but its agencies are seeing huge increases in requests.

The Foodbank of the Albemarle has an emergency food pantry three times a week. Executive Director Liz Reasoner told WAVY.com there's an 18 percent increase in requests for food, and a 15 percent decline in retail donations.

According to Marianne Smith with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, as of Monday they've served 290,000 people this fiscal year. That's 40,000 more than all of last year.

This fiscal year ends on June 30, and Smith expects the numbers to continue to climb.