For the past year, Brenda Bamberger of Stoneboro has gotten a food box every month from the local food pantry. She and her husband are on Social Security for health disorders, and when the money runs short at the end of the month because of bills and utility payments, she knows where she can turn for more help.

Unfortunately, food pantries in Mercer County, aren't able to turn to state or local governments for more help.

Besides federal funding being cut out for food pantries this year, money recently released from the state for food pantries was 11 percent less than last year.

"The reduction makes me sick. They don't see what's happening. They don't realize that our valley is in trouble and a lot of our families and children are going without," said Marilyn Gozik, director of Episcopal Community Services in Sharon, which provides food and other services to those in need.