francis harris is the executive director of the ax food pantry in virginia. she's joining us by phone to talk about the situation. how bad is it down there? >> well, we just decided on monday when we came in to work that we couldn't stay open to serve the people that came in because we didn't want to give out two cans of food. our need has increased 40% in the last six months, and that's over the 90% increase since three years ago, when the economy kind of went down. so we've been meeting the need and we get to a point several times a year where we cut it really close because we know a big food drive is coming up, but we just couldn't hold on this time. we had to close the doors. >> and you're been in existence for 42 years. he helped so many people in the dumfries area. what will happen to the families who cannot get food from you? >> we work closely with many of the churches that have smaller opinion trees in their churches so we've given them a heads up, and they help more with the people in their neighborhoods when they're not able to come down to us, the

. >> this is francis harris, the executive director. tell us about the financial contributions. >> in the last two days we have gotten over $55,000 of money for the food pantry. and we can stretch it even further now because we are buying in bulk stocking up the shelves. it's just wonderful. >> it's great to hear. and we would like to contribute as well. again, the foundation is a part of who owns channel 9. the gazette will be sending you a $5,000 check to help out as well. we wanted to be a part of this effort and a part of the community. we hope that helps. >> oh, that's going to be great. thank you very much. thank you so much. >> and thanks to the community that responded. and we will be back tomorrow as well to see what's coming tomorrow. back to you. >> we have some good, good people in this community. >> yes, peggy, certainly there's evidence on the shelves. >> good momentum going on there. >> keep it going. >>> all right, the winds are still howling. they are going to die down here soon. >> howling? [ laughter ] >> i don't know

this is francis harris, the executive director here. now you're getting new supplies in. i see lots of cereals and other things coming in. why can't you open? >> we want to make sure we have a stock of supplies so we don't open a day, close a day, because this food looks like a lot, but in one day that will be gone. we feed 60 to 80 families a day and it takes a lot more and you don't want people to not be able to help them and come down the next day. it's not right and they spend money on gas and the bus. it's hard. we just want to make it consistent. >> you need a massive donation coming in with lots of food. they need protein. they need can supplies. macaroni and cheese, things like that. if they get enough to come in, then they will open before november 1. right now, their plan is to reopen november 1. here's how you can help. go to our website, wusa9.com. we have a banner at the top and you can go to that and we have a link where you can make donations. they need food and money and they need it fast. back to you. >> thank you so much. >> appreciate that. a lot of fol