A double line of cars moved slowly past the Covington Food Bank all morning Thursday, driving there from across St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa parishes.

Seventy to 80 families come here for help on an average day. Before Katrina, on a busy day, they saw 25.

"We thought by now we would be back to 25 or 30 families, but we are taking in new families every day,” said Jackie Catalanotto with the Covington Food Bank.

Ethel Monson of Franklinton uses food bank help to stretch her income far enough to feed her grandchildren.

"There has been times I had to go without my medicine to get stuff for me and my kids, my grand kids and stuff and it’s rough,” Monson said.

They receive food boxes stuffed with 70 items – from pasta to canned goods – designed to last up to two weeks. But as prices for gas and food climb, those on limited incomes face tougher times.

"We have given in checks over $50,000 since October to help people with their rent, utilities, medicine,” Catalanotto said.

Last year, Second Harvest Warehouse supplied area food banks with 24 million pounds, but said they needed four times that amount to meet the demand.

“In October, we had to close a week,” Catalanotto said.

Said Christian Voelkel, a student at St. Peter School, "We collect food in our school to donate.”

Last year $5 million instate funds supplemented food banks across Louisiana. But this year, they said the need is so great, they're asking the Legislature for $15 million. At the Covington Food Bank, they can tell you just how much good they can do with that money.

“People are not aware of the number of hungry people that we have here,” Catalanotto said.

For Sara Sherman, the Covington Food Bank supplements her Social Security check and helps her son as well.

"And he is handicapped, so I don't know how he would make it without this food bank.” Sherman said.

Now the Covington Food Bank hopes to have enough food to meet the demand this summer, when children are out of school.

Those wishing to help the Covington Food Bank can call 985-893-3003.

The agency also is seeking dentists and hygienists willing to volunteer their time in the food bank’s dental clinic.