Higher demand and fewer donations have left shelves empty and Renton’s largest food bank praying for more food.

Donations are typically high from October through December for the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank, but October’s numbers stagnated this year.

“Our demand for service has gone up tremendously,” added Terry Masango, captain of the Salvation Army Renton.

Last year the organization served families about 800 times a month, this year it’s about 1,200.

Masango is asking that the community and its organizations step up this November and help provide for families who’ve been hit hard by poor economic times.

“When we don’t talk about our needs, people forget,” Masango said. “We see it everyday but the people don’t.”

There are a few theories about why people are giving less, among them is that people who give are hurting themselves, Masango said.

Some people are also holding back for fear that they may lose their jobs, he said. “They don’t know if they will be needing help themselves.”

The larger problem is that younger generations aren’t stepping up to give.

The Salvation Army’s average giver is a 55-year-old widow who gives a small cash donation monthly, and that generation is dying out, he said.

The organization’s warehouse is full of paper products from a company donation. However, basic food donations are always needed.

At the top of the list are breakfast cereal and rice.

The walk-in-refrigerator had little more than a box of mozzarella, and was barren of milk and butter.

Canned fruits, vegetables, tuna and beans are also needed.

However, expired cans of food are not distributed. Last week the food bank received a box of canned goods that expired in the ’80s.

Dented cans are also sorted through and many are tossed for fear of contamination.

For those who don’t want to purchase food, donating money is often preferred.