St. Vincent de Paul runs a dining room at 1298 Main Street. Last month more than 8,900 meals were served, an increase of 1,300 from August 2007. One one day alone -- August 4th -- 452 meals were served, the highest number in the agency's history.

Executive Director Mark Zirnheld says there seems to be an increasing number of working poor who need their help.

Zirnheld says other food pantries and soup kitchens serving the inner city have closed, which has more of the working poor turning to his agency. He says St. Vincent de Paul receives much of its food from the Food Bank of Western New York, as well as from private donations. Zirnheld says his agency is very dependent on volunteers, who prepare and serve the food.

Zirnheld says he finds it troubling that the record for meals served was set during the summer months. He wonders what the winter will bring, when demand for his services are usually greater. © Copyright 2009, WBFO