Salvation Army reports increased need for food

A survey of Salvation Army food programs across the country shows nearly all saw increased demand over the past year while donations to one of the top social service charities were flat or declined.

In the survey of 30 food programs released Tuesday, caseworkers in Philadelphia, Chicago and elsewhere say they can't keep up with the demand.

Salvation Army national spokesman Major George Hood says the heaviest demand for food came in areas with high unemployment and home foreclosures. In the Chicago area, he says demand has doubled.

Hood says many Salvation Army regions had to realign their budgets to meet increased demands for food and shelter.

The Salvation Army served about 30 million people nationwide last year. Overall, donor support was down about 8 percent.