Jun. 6--THOMASVILLE -- Thomas County Food Bank and Outreach Center Inc. supporters say 11 years of serving the community means a steady increase in clients and a higher need for donations and volunteers.

"This year, in our first quarter, statistics show that we have increased 31 percent over last year," Maryline Smith, board of directors president, said. "This has never happened before and is a big difference for us because it means we need more food and volunteers in order to meet the needs of the people who are coming in."

The non-profit organization, celebrating 11 years of service on Tuesday, will have a proposed budget for 2010 that will be more than $200,000, Smith said.

The center has served 28,515 persons for the year to date, in comparison to 21,831 this time last year. For April, 991 households were served, with 2,707 total persons in those households.

This is an increase from April 2008's statistics of 864 households served and 2,253 total persons in those households.

Smith believes this is largely due to the economy. The biggest increase in the age groups is 19-64.

"This is the age group hit the worst by the economy," she said. "People are out of work or have reduced hours, and this makes them need the food bank even more."

On June 9, 1998, the food bank opened.

It served 30 families and pretty much maintained that number for the first year, Smith said. That number has gradually risen to 200-plus families per week.

Thomasville resident Verla Zellars has been a client of the food bank, off and on, for approximately seven years. She used to visit regularly, but said she now comes two or three times a year.

"My son is a diabetic and insulin dependent, so he cannot work and lives with me," she said. "I also have two grandkids, ages two and three, who live with me, and I am on disability. These days and times, every little bit helps me provide meals for them."

Zellars appreciates that the food bank stocks groceries that last and are not "quick fix-its."

Smith said volunteers are very important and the ranks have increased by 50 percent since 1998 to 75. On the days the food bank is not open, the food committee is stocking shelves.

Volunteer Justine Mason has been with the food bank since it opened. She said the appreciation clients show makes offering her time so rewarding.

"We are seeing an increase now in the number of clients," she said. "Even with people working, the hours may have been cut back and their income still does not provide enough to pay for expenses.