Once the holidays pass, local food shelves see a decrease in their food supplies.

The need for food, however, remains constant.

On average the Salvation Army Austin Corps fills 85 food orders a month, said Pat Wright, of social services.

"We have had an increase in use because of the employment situation," Wright said.

But March brings another boost to food shelves in the area, as Minnesota FoodShare holds the largest food drive in the state.

In its first week, Minnesota Food Share, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches that operates social service programs to help Minnesotans in poverty, reached 7.3 percent of its goal. The drive hopes to bring in six million combined dollars and pounds of food for 261 of Minnesota's food shelves.

People have been donating both food and cash to local food shelves, churches and participating businesses. All of the food donated within the community stays in the community.

On Wednesday, Mayor Bonnie Rietz signed a proclamation, declaring March Minnesota FoodShare Month.

At the Salvation Army, 2,000 pounds of food have been collected. Wright said the organization hopes to meet last year's goal of 17,000 pounds.

A food collection by local Boy Scouts this weekend may help. For Scouting for Food, local boy scouts dropped off donation bags at area homes. Residents are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable food items and place the bags outside by 10 a.m. Saturday. The scouts will pick up the bags and bring them to the Salvation Army.

"It's really put together well," Wright said.

Those who use the food shelf are allowed to use it five times a year long as their income requirements qualify them for assistance. Those requirements are based on the size of a family.

"I always talk to them about we're just a band-aid," Wright said, adding that if a family constantly needs food orders, she tells them to get help from the state, such as food stamps.

Wright hopes this year's drive will be as successful as last year. By participating in the FoodShare program, the Salvation Army can earn incentive money to further help the food shelf, depending on how much food it raises locally.

"This is just something I can be involved in for our food shelf," Wright said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com