The Calgary Food Bank is hoping Calgarians are generous this weekend during the Friends Helping Friends food drive.
The number of people using the food bank is up 43 per cent this year.
Officials say tough economic times are pushing many people, especially the working poor, to the edge.
Nearly 200 emergency hampers are handed out every day.
"They are very grateful. They have probably had to find in themselves some way to keep a shred of dignity, a bit of their dignity intact when they are coming to say 'I can't feed myself. Would you help me feed myself or help feed my family?'"
Food donations will be accepted at all Safeway stores in Southern Alberta on Saturday.
Volunteers from CTV will be at four locations - Crowfoot, Whitehorn, Westhills, and Southcentre - throughout the day.
