"We're getting a lot of people who are working," said Kim Strong, executive director. "We're getting a lot of people who just can't afford to pay the bills and eat. They can pay the bills then they call us and say there's nothing left for food."

The Utica Community Food Bank's shelves might be almost bare....but client Magen Letendre's three children aren't any less hungry. Because of ever-rising gas prices, Letendre, whose fourth child is due in September, can only stop at the food bank when her regular path takes her by the agency. The married, working mother doesn't know what she'd do without the food bank.

How can you help?  The food bank is sending out a mass mailing asking central New Yorkers to 'plant a row for hunger' in their gardens, and donate the vegetables or fruits from that row to the agency.