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Two local mothers of National Football League players are concerned the worsening economy will mean empty pantries for area families and are hoping they can help tackle hunger in Prince George's County.

Zelda Westbrook of Fort Washington, mother of Washington Redskins cornerback Byron Westbrook and Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, and Marilynn Boley-Pointer of Waldorf, mother of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley, plan to start a local food drive by Nov. 1 to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.

The need for food donations in the area is increasing both seasonally and year-round, said Shamia Holloway, a spokeswoman for the Capital Area Food Bank, which is based in Washington, D.C., and serves 700 food agencies in parts of Virginia and Maryland, including Prince George's County.

"Traditionally we do see a pickup in people seeking food around the holidays," she said. "However, with the recent economy and increased food prices, we are seeing an increased demand throughout the year."

Calls to the Capital Area Food Bank's Hunger Lifeline, which helps people in need locate food assistance within their community, have gone up 180 percent since 2007, Holloway said.

In Prince George's and Montgomery counties, one in five children is at risk or is suffering from hunger,

Holloway said, adding that more than 246,000 men, women and children in the counties are at risk.

The food bank is serving not only the homeless but also more senior citizens and middle-class families, she said.

"We are seeing families who are visiting the food bank for the first time," Holloway said.

Campbell's Soup challenged the women in the Professional Football Players Mothers' Association to start a food drive in their home towns, with Campbell's providing the first 500 cans of soup.

"I took them up on that challenge, along with 34 other moms," Westbrook said.

Westbrook and Boley-Pointer hope to continue the drive through the end of the year. They are currently working out the logistics for the drive, including where the drive will be held.

The food drive is seeking nonperishable goods, such as canned or boxed foods and hygiene products.

Boley-Pointer said that while organizers do not have a specific target, they hope that after their donation the bank will have enough food to feed clients throughout the winter.

Boley-Pointer said she and Westbrook will call and visit restaurants and stores to see where they will be able to set up donation boxes.

Food drives play a vital role in the food bank's supply, Holloway said, adding that she is excited to see the mothers get involved.

Having their "names attached helps to put it on people's minds," and having the NFL mothers involved helps the food bank reach an audience it might not otherwise reach, she said.

The association's top priority is the mothers being active in their communities, Westbrook said, adding that she and her husband have always tried to be involved in their community since their two sons were young.

Both mothers said their sons are hoping to participate in the drive, as long as it fits into their schedules.

E-mail Megan McKeever at mmckeever@gazette.net.