The slow economy is keeping volunteers at the Glade Valley Food Bank in Walkersville busy with people needing groceries to feed their families during the summer.

About 150 families turn to the food bank for groceries each month, said Donna Swanson, co-manager, adding that the number of families has remained consistant, but the amount of food has not.

“We can always use cereal, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, toilet tissue and tuna,” she said.

Swanson said donations are a financial help to the organization.

“If we’re not buying a lot of stuff we can save our money,” she said.

The food bank typically recieves a hefty supply of groceries before Thanksgiving in response to the Boy Scouts annual canned food drive, but donations taper off the rest of the year.

Meanwhile, Swanson said they are always surprised that when families or individuals no longer need their help, new people seem to show up to take their place. “We don’t quite understand that,” she said.

The food bank serves the needy in Keymar, Libertytown, New Midway, Walkersville and Woodsboro.

Housed in the basement of the Walkersville Town Hall, 21 W. Frederick St., the food bank is open from 6:30-8 p.m. on Mondays and from 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays. To contact the food bank, call 301-845-4229.