The Scafuris of Shaler -- Amy, her husband, James, and daughters Jamie, 15, and Jesse, 5 -- are among the millions affected by the country's economic downturn, but their concerns are for others less fortunate.

James Scafuri, 35, lost his job as a waiter two months ago when the restaurant where he worked closed. Amy Scafuri, 34, tries to help make ends meet by baby-sitting for others and working at her mother's art gallery Downtown in addition to caring for their children.

"Everybody has been touched by the [economy] in one way or another. It's terrible. But we have everything we need," she said -- unlike so many others.

That's why on Thursday the family sought to help people in need by hosting a party at home.

Mrs. Scafuri, who came up with the idea, asked guests to bring items from the North Hills Community Outreach's "wish list" of food and other goods needed for distribution at its two pantries. The Scafuris provided food and drink, and musicians Joy Ike and Cameron Blake performed original acoustic songs about peace, love and hope.

"It's the time of year for giving and for giving back," Mrs. Scafuri said. "If we all did something, like providing simple everyday things we take for granted but would make life easier for others, it would be amazing."

That spirit of compassion and generosity is needed more than ever, say those on the front lines in the fight against hunger in America.

Even they were shocked last week when a federal report showed that nearly 50 million Americans -- including nearly one child in four -- had difficulty getting enough food in 2008. That number represents an alarming 36 percent jump from 2007 and the highest level since 1995, the first year such figures were compiled.

The report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed the number of Americans deemed "food insecure" -- those who lack a dependable supply of adequate food -- rose from 36.2 million to 49 million Americans. The number of households with "very low food security," or those who are experiencing outright hunger, has increased 42 percent since 2007 to nearly 17.3 million people.

And because the economic crisis has continued through this year, figures for 2009 are expected to show another increase, said Joyce Rothermel, chief executive officer of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

While Western Pennsylvania hasn't been hit as hard as the nation as a whole when it comes to adequate food sources, its numbers nevertheless have risen in all 11 counties the food bank serves.

Since August 2008, there has been an average increase of 1,500 families a month seeking assistance from the food bank, she said.

For many of those people, it's the first time they have been forced to seek help in feeding their families.

"In any given month, [the total] is about 100,000 families, which is up from 90,000 last year," she said. "It is an increase but not as much as some of our counterparts throughout the country who are up 30 percent."

Fay Morgan, North Hills Community Outreach executive director, said that while people are always struggling to make ends meet, the current economic crisis has created a large increase in demand for the agency's services, particularly from people who are underemployed -- those who have lost hours at their jobs, making it difficult to pay their bills.

"This is a time of a lot of uncertainty and despair," she said. "The severity of the need is increasing. A lot of people in the area don't come unless they really need it."

In May, 302 families came to use the agency's food pantries in Hampton and Bellevue, 24 of them new to the agency. By September, the number had risen to 363, with 47 coming for the first time. That is up from 293 families in September 2008.

And this month, the agency is on track to help 500 families, or nearly 200 more than it did only two months earlier.

Moreover, she said, families last year sought help for an average of five months. This year, the average has more than doubled to 11 months.

"I'm sure some places are worse off than we are, but if you're the person who's hungry, it doesn't matter what the statistics show," she said. "You need to help your family and that's what the focus is on."

In suburbs south of Pittsburgh, South Hills Interfaith Ministries last month served 275 families, or 834 individuals, up from 136 families, or 428 individuals, during October 2007, executive director Jim Guffey said. He said his organization hadn't seen such need since the region experienced the loss of thousands of steel industry jobs in the 1980s.

Poverty is quieter in the suburbs, Mr. Guffey said, with people trying to keep up appearances without their neighbors and friends knowing they are going through a rough time. The pantry, located in Bethel Park, also serves South Park, Finleyville, Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, Castle Shannon and Baldwin-Whitehall.

Ms. Rothermel said the bottom line to ending the current hunger crisis is "families need jobs and to make living wages." In the meantime, she said, federal, state and local governments need to help as well as neighbors helping each other.

Ms. Morgan agreed: "It's really important to get out the message not to expect government to solve the problem. Certainly government has to do its part, but without caring individuals, organizations like ours would not be able to help."

Among those heeding that call Thursday were the 30 people who attended the Scafuri family's house party and food drive. They filled up two large bins with donated items for those going through tough times now.

"It was so inspiring. Everyone was so generous," Mrs. Scafuri said. "They brought grocery bags full of items -- canned goods, coffee, toothbrushes, tooth paste, paper towels, napkins, toilet paper.

"It makes me want to do more. I think everyone left here wanting to do more."

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