MADISON, Wis. -- The unstable economy is causing problems for some local food pantries, organizers said.

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Not only are donations down, but some people who used to give to the food bank now are the ones in need themselves. And that's just part of the latest wrinkle for organizations with a simple mission -- ending hunger -- that's complicated to achieve, WISC-TV reported.

Empty shelves are a sign of the times at some Madison area food pantries. Between vacation season and a rough economy, less food is coming in to the Catholic Multicultural Center Food Pantry than they're giving out.

"This time of year, is kind of what I call the dog days of food donations," said Steve Maurice, of the Catholic Multicultural Center. "We average about 250, 300 families come through the food pantry each month."

For Jerilyn Miller, the center's pantry and hot meals several times a week are a blessing.

"The food pantry has helped me when I've been in need and when I'm trying to help somebody in my family or some neighbors," said Miller. "If I had to cook the rice, make the meat, cook some vegetables in here, buy a head of lettuce or a watermelon and a canteloupe for one person, this would go to waste. I wouldn't be able to keep it that long."

Food for both programs comes from the Second Harvest Food Bank.

So far, it's kept up with rising demand from the 420 agencies it serves but caring for others comes with a cost.

"The other side of this is that I've got four trucks on the road, every day, diesel's now nearly $5 a gallon, and I deliver half of the food," said Bob Mohelnitzsky with the Second Harvest Food Bank.

In July, the food bank distributed 600,000 pounds of food -- a 31 percent increase from last year.

Food bank officials said that they're thankful to their corporate donors, which in some cases have increased their donations to help out during tough times.

The hit comes at the gas pump, where like everyone else, they're forced to pay more to keep their trucks on the road and the agencies they serve, are seeing more need than ever.

"The need is here all the time and of course the way the economy is going right now with food costs and fuel costs we've been seeing a jump in the number of families needed the food pantry," said Maurice.

"Ten dollars is seventy meals, $10 allows me to put my truck driver in a truck and go down to Sysco or Seneca or Oscar Meyer or Hormel and go down and bring back a load of their donated product," said Mohelnitzsky.

Mohelnitzsky said monetary donations help the food bank more easily meet its mission of feeding the hungry, 40 percent of whom are children.

A letter from the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry on Wednesday asked for help. They sum up the trouble they're facing simply: the same income and higher bills which is a situation too many people, know all too well, WISC-TV reported.