FARMINGTON -- More than 2 tons of food was donated to the Care & Share Food Pantry in Farmington on Friday by elementary-school students from the Mallett and Cascade Brook Schools in the annual Helping Hands Food Pass.

The need for the emergency food is on the rise, said food-pantry coordinator Caroline McLaughlin, during the hectic morning filled with children bringing in bags of food.

"Last month, we had 199 families. And between Monday and Thursday this week, we had over 60 families come in, with 21 on Thursday alone," she said. "That is a record."

Last year at this time, about 150 families would come in for emergency help a week.

At Thanksgiving, the food pantry prepares baskets of food with a turkey and all the fixings for a holiday meal. Last year, more than 200 baskets were prepared and the number of requests for this month is already over that, she said.

To volunteer filling holiday food baskets, call McLaughlin at 645-2312.

Donations may be sent to Care & Share, c/o treasurer Mary O'Donal, 210 Barlen St., Farmington, ME 04938.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com