U.S. Charity Accelerating Plans Due to Recession

Through the first seven months of the 2009 fiscal year, which ends in June, the charity had distributed almost 1.44 billion pounds of food and raised $56.3 million in funds. Escarra said Feeding America will top its 2009 targets by 20 percent and more than 30 percent, respectively.

That success is necessary, Escarra said, because demand is rising along with the unemployment rate.