Mike Bergman oversees the day-to-day operations of Helping Hands Ministry, a pantry that serves the needy living within the Belton school district.

While it’s common to see increases in families needing services during the holiday season, Bergman said this year the increases came earlier in the season.

The number of families seeking assistance from the pantry jumped by about 200 between July and September. Since then more than 100 additional families have been added each month.

In November, the pantry gave food assistance to 1,068 different families.

Thursday, volunteers at the pantry finished boxing up parcels of food for Christmas dinners. The items will be distributed on Dec. 22.

The pantry is among 28 agencies that receive financial assistance from the United Way of Central Texas, which is in the midst of a fund drive ending Dec. 31.

Ann Thompson, executive director of the local United Way chapter, expressed concern Thursday that donations to the agency may not keep up with demand.

“A lot of people are pulling back, but what they may not realize is that right now the need is great,” she said.

The reason donations are down vary from companies that laid off workers and declined to participate in the campaign to individuals worried about the economy, Mrs. Thompson said.

On Thursday afternoon, the line of people picking up a week’s supply of food at the pantry was more than 25 deep at times. Bergman said by the end of the week more than 300 families would be assisted.

“There will be rises in needs, regardless of what the economy does,” Mrs. Thompson said. “We grow every year.”

Those interested in donating to the United Way may call 254-778-8616.