The nonprofit Food Gatherers is feeling an increased demand for its services this time of year, a period when donations are typically slower.

Mary Schlitt, director of development, said Food Gatherers’ pantries are nearly empty. The time when summer ends and school begins is slower to see donations rolling in, and the canned food supply, she said, is lower.

“Momentum builds as the holidays approach,” Schlitt said, “but we do need donated food.”

Food Gatherers provides nonperishable food items, produce giveaways, hot meals and other services for more than 150 partner programs throughout the county. The group provides partner programs with 70 percent of the food they give away. Last year, Food Gatherers distributed 5 million pounds of food to partner agencies.

Bonnie Billups, executive director for Peace Neighborhood Center, a partner agency of Food Gatherers, said he has seen a remarkable increase in the number and types of people seeking assistance from his group. Friday was the fourth week Peace Neighborhood held a produce giveaway, provided by farmers who donated to Food Gatherers.

“We see families, seniors, a little bit of everybody. We’re seeing people who have never had to ask before,” he said. “We know there’s so many people that, without this, would be lacking.”

Billups said fresh produce giveaways are especially important because low-income families have a harder time finding it and affording it. Their weekly giveaways, featuring carrots, squash, zucchini, apples and whatever else is on hand, continue through October. Each week, the number of residents coming to the giveaway has increased. Last week, he said they had about 50 to 55 families.

“One of the things we know is that it’s hard for low-income people to put fresh produce into their diets,” Schlitt said. “That’s something we know very well.”

She said families often turn to buying junk food or ordering off fast food dollar menus because it’s less expensive.

Catholic Social Services, another partner program, offers a produce giveaway on Wednesdays.

Schlitt said the need for more assistance in the county is growing, with one in seven Washtenaw County residents being at risk for hunger, according to the group’s 2010 report. She expects more and more families to seek help as welfare and food assistance laws change.

Although many third-party groups hold food drives that benefit Food Gatherers throughout the year, the group is gearing up for two of its biggest events — the Season of Sharing Food Drive with local grocer Busch’s Fresh Food Market is Nov. 14-23 and Rockin’ For The Hungry is Dec. 7-11.

Schlitt said the food collected during these times makes up the group’s supply through spring. Last year, they collected 200 tons of food during Rockin’ For The Hungry, she said.

“We’re just trying to get the word out about how people can help in different ways,” Schlitt said.

For more information on the services Food Gatherers offers, as well as information on its partner agencies, visit foodgatherers.org.