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VIRGINIA, ILL. -- The Cass County Illinois Food Pantry in Virginia,has been serving families since the mid 1980's.

Back then they served about 40 families a month.

But now the food pantry is serving families throughout Cass County and averages about 300 families a month.

Joanne Anderson says when the Cass County Food Pantry opens the door for the once a month distribution, there are people who are waiting in line.

She says volunteers packed boxes for 324 families this month and that's about average for the monthly program.

"One particular month, August of 2000, we had like 44 families and since then in those 10 years, we've multiplied many times," said Anderson.

The boxes that are handed out include boxed food, canned items and frozen meat. Anderson says the pantry doesn't size the donations for families who ask for help.

She says there's enough food to make 8 to 9 meals.

And it depends on the time of the year sometimes there are fresh vegetables from the garden.

But it's the volunteers who keep the pantry going. Anderson says one person can't do it all.

"We have a tremendous base of volunteers. We have as many as 40 volunteers a month. It's not always the same people, but many of these do come every month. But all you have to do is put the word out and they just show up," said Anderson

Anderson says the food pantry gets the majority of the items for the shelves from the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield.

And the pantries also get commodities from the federal government and help from the United Way, DOT Foods and local food drives and churches.

Anderson says if someone would like to donate food or money to the pantry they can give her a call at 217-473-5638.

She says if someone needs help they can reach her at the same number as well.