With their edible inventory nearly depleted, Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes is asking the community to replete their stores.

“Our shelves are bare,” said said Cindy Balderas, Loaves and Fishes treasurer.

From January to September, 719 families have been served. That includes 2,437 individuals, Balderas said.

Loaves and Fishes is organizing a door to door food drive from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. It’s simple, just have the food ready when a youth group member knocks or, if you won’t be home in the evening, leave a bagged donation on the step. “That would be great,” Balderas said.

People must provide their own bags.

Loaves and Fishes will also accept cash donations, she said.

Summer donations are traditionally sparse because people are on vacation, but with school out, the number of youth needing food while home for the summer escalates, Balderas said. “So we’re always scrambling in the summertime.”

Loaves and Fishes also provides coupons for bread, milk and eggs redeemable at local stores, Balderas said.

Loaves and Fishes buys all its food locally, Balderas added.

Topping Fishes’ donation wish list are cereal, canned meat, pasta, rice, spagetti sauce, canned chili and pancake mix.

Fishes will also accept wild game as long as it has been professionally processed, Balderas said.

Fishes conducts two food drives per year. One in October and the other in May with assistance from the U.S. Postal Service. Loaves and Fishes has been in operation 28 years, Balderas said.

For those in need, referral forms can be found at schools, churches, doctors’ offices, Powell Valley Hospital, the Powell Police Department and elsewhere. There are also advertisements explaining the program, Balderas said.

The pantry at the Park County Annex, just north of Powell, is open from 9-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, but each individual or family can use the pantry once per month only. And, they have to make an appointment. Call 754-8800, Balderas said.