Lest there be any doubt that the nation's economic meltdown is being felt locally, Steveanna Wynn, whose Share Food Program supplies 500 Philadelphia food cupboards, offers this observation:

The last three months saw a 50 percent increase in people asking for groceries, she says. Many are people who used to donate food to the pantries. Now they can no longer feed their own families.

State funding for food pantries is down; food costs are way up. More people are in need and fewer people are able to help.

"I really think many people who last year donated the free turkeys they got from supermarket promotions will use them at their own tables this year," Wynn says. "So that's another source drying up."

"I have been doing emergency food distribution for 40 years," she says, "and this is the worst I've ever seen it."

Starting today and continuing for the next five weeks, we will list some of the agencies in the Philadelphia-South Jersey area that need help.

It's not just about food. Volunteers are needed now to donate used coats, staff the register at charity thrift shops, and read to children.

The Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey (ronaldhouse-snj.org), for example, needs volunteers to gift-wrap purchases at the Deptford Mall, starting on Nov. 28 and continuing through Dec. 24.

You can help as an individual or as part of a group; give an hour of your time or a can of stew; once a year or once a week. Here is a short list of places to start:

Share Food Program Inc.

2901 W. Hunting Park Ave.

Philadelphia 19129

sharefoodprogram.org or 215-223-2220

Philabundance

302 W. Berks St.

Philadelphia 19122

and 3616 S. Galloway St.

Philadelphia 19148

philabundance.org or 215-339-0900

Ronald McDonald House

of Southern New Jersey

ronaldhouse-snj.org or 856-966-4663

United Way of Southeastern Pa.

Here, you can search by county for agencies with volunteer opportunities for the holidays and see agency wish lists: uwsepa.org/Volunteer_holidays.asp or 215-665-2474.