The "Strike Out Hunger" food drive took place Tuesday to keep Alachua County's residents from going hungry.

The cost of everything from gasoline to utilities is going up. This is leaving many families with less money to buy food. Now Alachua county's food pantries are struggling to keep up with growing demand. "The loss of jobs, a loss of income and an increase in other costs have made people that you would not think traditionally that would come to a facility looking for something to eat, we are now seeing that," said Kent Vann, Executive Director of St. Francis House.

Commissioner Rodney Long hosted this event. "We had a twelve hour hunger strike and raised food for the many food pantries and food distribution centers that have cupboards bare right now," he said.

WALMART donated 25,000 pounds of non perishable goods. The public also donated over 500 pounds of canned goods. Unlike last year, Alachua County food banks have to feed up to 120 families per month. This is an increase of 80 families from last year.

"You just tell the children you're just going to have to buck up and eat less until we get to buy food. We're just trying to create an outlet for them to come in so those kids don't have to do that," said Michael Wright, Executive Director of the Gainesville Community Ministry. There will also be a hunger summit that starts this Thursday at 8:30 AM at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Northeast Gainesville.