(AP) -- CHICAGO (AP) - Food pantries nationwide say they're seeing the greatest demand in years and much of it is coming from first-time visitors, many of whom are middle class. Experts say the reasons are layoffs and reduced wages for millions of Americans. The national unemployment rate is about 10.2 percent.
Federal agencies and national organizations like the Chicago-based Feeding America have just started tracking first timers.
But anecdotal evidence and statistics from individual pantries is clear: More and more new faces are showing up among the approximately 25 million Americans who rely on food pantries each year.
Pantry workers say many of those first timers are confused about what to do. Other first timers say the experience is fraught with shame and embarrassment.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
