ISHPEMING -- The need for food donations is great for Western Marquette County.  Each month, the food pantry serves about 60 families.
    
With winter approaching, heating costs can be difficult to afford for many families.
    
Lieutenant Stephen Hanson of the Ishpeming Salvation Army says with state funding cuts for heating, it's a contributing factor that many families turn to food pantries for help.
    
But empty shelves make it difficult to help everyone.

"People are struggling to pay their bills and to keep food on their tables, so in order to pay bills, they have to come to us to be able to eat or be able to Bridge so that they can get to that next paycheck," said Hanson.

The pantry accepts all non-perishable items.
    
All donations through December 1 will be part of the TV6 Canathon drive.