The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is in dire need of canned beans, meat, peas, flour, cornmeal, rice and other nonperishable food items.

A spokesperson says that due to heavy demand, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank pantry is low on food items. The pantry is used for packing emergency food boxes.

Last year, the Food Bank provided 13,559 food boxes to needy families in Hamilton County. This year - through June - the Food Bank has given out 7,000 boxes. The problem is compounded due to a drop in food donations, which normally occurs during the summer months.

For information on how to donate, or conduct a food drive, call the Chattanooga Area Food Bank at 622-1800.

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank serves a 20-county service area in Tennessee and Georgia. In 2007, the Food Bank distributed 8.7 million pounds of food to agencies and individuals through its feeding programs.