The community responded.

And now the Auburn Food Bank is in better shape to meet the growing needs of struggling individuals and families.

On Monday, the food bank took in more than 1,200 items – valued at $2,028 – from four girls and their mothers belonging to the Lakeland Parents Group, which stood at Top Food & Drug on Lake Tapps Parkway East on Saturday afternoon to accept donations.

Donations included checks, cash and fresh fruit.

However, the food bank continues to face an increasing demand for donations as the economy suffers. Donations from grocery stores and regular venues have not been able to keep up with the demand, according to officials.

According to Debbie Christian, the food bank’s executive director, the facility served 18,874 households this past fiscal year ending in June, an increase of 1,638 over the same period a year ago. The food bank also served 61,350 individuals during the same year-long period, an increase of 13,162 from last year.

The food bank’s clientele is up to 1,638 families.

“The donations that are coming in are keeping the doors open, and we are so grateful for the citizens of Auburn who have responded,” Christian said.

To keep pace, the food bank welcomes donations.

The public can bring donations directly to the food bank, 930 18th Place N.E., Auburn. The facility is just east of the north Auburn Top Foods parking lot, between 17th Northeast and 18th Northeast on I Street Northeast – inside the Burndale Homes apartment complex.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and on the second Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Auburn Food Bank donations also can be brought to White River Presbyterian Church, 526 12th St. SE, Auburn, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.