The Hutto Food Pantry is low on some food items and is asking for businesses and individuals to help restock its shelves.

"New families are joining every week, and the families are averaging over five per family, so that means they get two bags," said Lynda Herrin, one of the volunteer coordinators.

Herrin said Hutto Lutheran Church has operated the food pantry for about five years, but as word has spread in the community about the pantry and more people are feeling the effects of a down economy, the number of people needing the service has increased.

The pantry serves nonperishable food items Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Hutto Lutheran Church, 402 Church St. Churches in the community run the pantry each week and 25 to 35 families on average come to receive bags.

Herrin said some of the items that are critically low include peanut butter, jelly and cereal.

"Probably after this weekend, we won't be able to completely fill the bags if we don't get anything," she said.

Other items need by the pantry include canned meat, fruit, pasta and vegetables (except for corn and green beans); 1 lb. bags of rice; bar soap; toilet paper; tissues; laundry detergent; body wash; and children's shampoo.

For more information, call Herrin at 431-9889 or visit www.facebook.com/huttofoodpantry.