A shortage at food banks around the country is forcing some to close their doors for good.
As KMEG 14's Mario Giraldo reports, officials from the Food Bank of Siouxland are beginning to get worried.

Stacks of food at the Food Bank of Siouxland are a sight of the past.

"The supply is low, the demand is high," says Executive Director Linda Scheid. "It's the worst of all possible circumstances, and we're really struggling."

It could not have come at worse time. The holidays are generally a busy time for food banks.

"We serve almost 200 agencies in a 14-county, tri-state area," says Scheid. "So there are a lot of people depending on us to be able to distribute the food they need. It's critical."

Sheid blames an unusual combination of factors for the food shortage. The cost of groceries is up, fuel costs are up and energy costs are high. 

"It's much more demanding handling your own personal circumstances then it was ever before," says Scheid. 

With some extra help, Scheid is hoping to fill these empty shelves.

"Hunger knows no season. People are hungry at Christmas time, but they're hungry at the end of January and the middle of March."