Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2008 --- 4:55 p.m.

A local food pantry's also making cuts. It's canceling its Thanksgiving basket giveaway.

"If we had 10 families, we would think we were busy," June Olson says.

Olson has been running the Ft. Atkinson Food Pantry almost 20 years because she likes to keep busy.

"These shelves should be full of corn..."

These days, she's busier than ever.

"Now, if we get under 40, we think it's a slow day."

Still, demand is outpacing donations.

"In July to August, we had 43 new families. And, we usually had an average of about 11," board member Rita Gray says.

The increased traffic is leaving some shelves -- bare! And finances -- tight!

"Usually we like to have a cushion of about 12-thousand so, to get down to 2-thousand, is quite scary," Gray says.

Board members say $2000 might cover the pantry's bills for October.

"cranberry sauce... a large jello... fruit cocktail... "

With Thanksgiving staples looking more like luxury items this year, the board decided to cancel the annual Thanksgiving basket giveaway.

Last year, the pantry provided almost 300 baskets to local families.

"We have many things to buy, and that takes money, and that's something we're running out of."

Volunteers say what the pantry's already collected for the Thanksgiving holiday will become a party of people's regular monthly assistance.

"We can use anything and everything ... mac and cheese, tuna, spaghetti, sauce ... anything that people would like to make meals with."

Board members hope to make it through the end of the year with the goods on hand while they work toward restocking shelves -- and reserves.

If you'd like to help, you can send monetary donations to:
Ft. Atkinson Food Pantry
PO Box 275
Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538