Newly Poor Swell Lines at Food Banks

“They look shellshocked,” she said. “I’ve had people walk back out and say, ‘I can’t do this.’ ”

She recalled one recent visitor, a television sound engineer who lost his house to foreclosure. “His life just went reee-eeer,” Ms. Gilmartin said, twirling her finger in a downward circle.

Usually, the pantry distributes food at two sites several mornings a week, including most Saturdays, and on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. But this month, Ms. Gilmartin decided to also open on the second Wednesday because she has been having trouble accommodating everyone.