With rising unemployment, foreclosure filings up 503 percent and a growing strain on our social service safety net,there's no doubt these are tough economic times. From the elderly on fixed incomes to working families, it's become increasingly harder to put food on the table.

That's what makes this year's Hawaii Foodbank food drive — and your contributions — all the more important.

The nonprofit Foodbank, which distributes food to more than 250 member agencies on O'ahu, has seen a staggering increase in demand. Last year, the Foodbank distributed 8.6 million pounds of food to those in need of emergency assistance — that's 1 million pounds more than the previous year. Sadly, recent layoffs and salary cuts have brought new faces seeking food assistance, said Lori Kaya, Foodbank spokeswoman. The Foodbank last year fed nearly 132,000 residents.

"The two largest groups we feed are kids, at 33,000 a year, and the elderly, at more than 14,000 a year," Kaya said.

It's our turn to help. This Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit one of nine key dropoff sites: Koko Marina Center; McCully Shopping Center; Pearl Highlands Center; Pearl City Shopping Center; Waterfront Plaza/Restaurant Row; Town Center of Mililani; Waianae Mall Shopping Center; Waiokeola Congregational Church in Kahala; and Windward City Shopping Center. (For additional sites, go to hawaiifoodbank.org.)

This year's goal is 550,000 pounds of food and $450,000. Canned foods most needed are meats or tuna, meals such as chili and spaghetti, fruits and vegetables.

Please take the time to give this year. Together, we can do our part to help end hunger in Hawai'i.