FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — The Fort Wayne Salvation Army says it is in desperate need of donations after seeing a huge rise in the number of families looking for help.

Tim Smith with the Salvation Army says the pandemic is most apparent at the Salvation Army locations around the city.

"Our pantry is a drive thru-service," he says. "It's getting people in and out as soon as possible."

A normal day for the Salvation Army would normally see anywhere from 25-30 families.

Now, they serve around 300 families.

"It's all hands on deck," says Smith.

Smith says some donations he would usually see have gone to other organizations that are helping to deliver meals and services to those in need, which is a good thing, but limits what they can do.

"The longer people are off, you're going to see people savings accounts deplete and they'll look for basic needs," he says.

The Salvation Army is looking for all kinds of donations but says the easiest are non-perishable food items.

You can donate online using the Salvation Army's website.