Last week, Food Lion Charitable Foundation gave a $2,500 donation to the RIC Rack Charity Thrift Store and Food Pantry.

“The recent economic situation has caused a 140 percent increase in requests for assistance. This donation will ensure the shelves in the charitable food pantry are stocked and ready to meet the demands,” said Ken Newell, director of RIC Rack.

Newell said that the food pantry has seen about 70 families each week, noting that the family size has grown from three to four members to six to eight members, some even up to 10.

He added that the food pantry and thrift store’s mission is to provide free food and assistance to Dawson County residents who find themselves in need of help.

“Since the Food Lion opened in Dawsonville, it has been a partner with RIC Rack and has regularly supplied food to support this mission. Items such as bread, meats and produce are made available to us through Food Lion, and the selection of meats they donate to use are what most food pantries would die for.  (Food Lion) has been a really good community neighbor,” Newell said.

E-mail Elizabeth Hamilton at elizabeth@dawsonnews.com.