“The cupboard is bare, and we need your help.” That’s the urgent plea this week from Lynda Locke at North Helpline.

“North Helpline, the food bank that helps people in the northeast corner of King County, is running out of food. We would appreciate any food donations you could make.” Locke is especially looking for businesses that could host a food barrel for donations.

This is not the “usual” seasonal request from a food bank. North Helpline had to order food from a wholesaler last week. “You would be shocked to see how empty the middle of the room is,” Locke said.

It’s not that people aren’t giving. Donations to the food bank are up 15 percent over last year. The problem is that clients using the food bank are up over 37 percent. “So it’s going out faster than it’s coming in,” Locke said.

The food bank, which is across the street from the Fred Meyer on Lake City Way Northeast, serves 700 families a week. Locke is trying to put more donation barrels out in the community. Wedgwood and View Ridge residents can drop off donations at:

Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave. N.E.
Cloud City Coffee, on Roosevelt Way Northeast at 88th Avenue Northeast
Maple Leaf Cafe Javasti, at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 84th Street
All That Dance, at 35th Avenue NE and NE 85th Street, will get a barrel tomorrow

Anybody know of other businesses that could help?