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Summit County — With an economically challenging year only half finished, public aid providers still are struggling to meet local needs. And the number of people asking for help only seems to grow.

"It's been a very challenging year. As you know there's a lot of need particularly in emergency assistance like food, rent, utilities and clothing," said Family and Intercultural Resources Center executive director Tamara Drangstveit. "Keeping up with that level of need for a sustained period of time is extremely challenging. While we're lucky that Summit County is an extremely generous community, we certainly need more help in meeting the need."

Use of FIRC's food bank is up 400 percent, and it's seeing a lot of first-time people, said FIRC development director Anita Overmyer. Rental assistance is up, too, she added.

Drangstveit said the food bank has been forced to buy quite a bit of food from the Food Bank of the Rockies to keep up with the community's ever-increasing needs. So far, $4,412.05 worth of food has been bought this year, compared to $275.95 spent on food in 2008.

Yet, the food bank is pretty empty by the end of the month, Drangstveit said. To combat funds and food shortages, the nonprofit is set to hold two fundraisers this month - the 5K FIRC Walk Against Hunger and the Hearthstone dinner and silent auction. Drangstveit said she hopes they can raise $30,000 between the two events.

"There's a huge issue with people making it in Summit County right now, and the unemployment average here is higher than the state," Drangstveit said. "All of the agencies across the county providing emergency services are struggling to keep up with the need."

Jude Mitchell, the administrator at Dillon Community Church agrees - the food bank and other human services are "still cranking and we've been very busy," she said.

Dillon's food bank served 1,633 people for 2008. And half way through 2009, Mitchell said they've already helped 2,000 people.

"We'll be double at least over last year," Mitchell said. "It's not surprising given the economy. We realize that people have meaningful needs."