MIAMI (CBS4) – There is a plea for help from the Salvation Army of Broward County.

The shelves of their food pantry are nearly bare — which means that dozens of hungry families counting on them for help may not be able to get what they need.

“We’re in a pretty desperate state,” said Major Gene Hogg.

Hogg says the Salvation Army of Broward County provides food once a week to between 90-120 families. However, the supply of donations has not kept pace with demand.

Hogg said when families arrive on Thursday to pick up their food they will receive less and little more than rice and beans.

“What I’m going to have to do is look people in the eye and say, ‘I’m sorry I can’t give you anything,’” he told CBS 4′s Carey Codd. “And they’re going to have to turn around and look at their hungry children and say I’m sorry there’s nothing for dinner tonight.”

The food pantry is usually busy with volunteers on Wednesday filling bags of food. But because there is so little food, volunteers were nowhere to be seen.

“We are putting out a call for help to individuals, churches, companies and clubs to help out with re stocking the pantry. Your help can be as simple as buying a few extra items of non-perishable food when you shop for your own groceries or organizing a full scale food drive with your group of friends or co-workers,” said Sally Gress, Director of Development.

Food donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 1445 West Broward Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, (954) 712 -2431.

For a list of most needed items, visit The Salvation Army’s website at www.SalvationArmyBroward.org.

Some of the most needed items include:

• Canned meats
• Canned Fruits and Vegetables
• Peanut Butter
• Crackers
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Pasta Sauce