Here’s a little slice of reality from People to People, Rockland’s largest food pantry:

In April 2008, People to People provided food to 450 families.

In April 2009, People to People provided food to 856 families.

In one year, about 90 percent more families are struggling enough to seek food donations.

Diane Serratore, executive director of People to People, said in a letter to supporters that she expects more children to need help getting school supplies through People to People’s “Back to School with Dignity” program that provides backpacks, pencils and every other kind of school supply for kids heading back in September.  Last year, more than 2,200 children received some school supplies through the program. This year, People to People plans on readying 3,500 backpacks full of school supplies for kids, Serratore wrote.

It’s a tough time for everyone, but People to People is still seeing individuals and organizations pitch in. (Girl Scouts and the Town of Clarkstown are working together to collect food times for People to People and Meals on Wheels during several July community events, for example.) And school supplies are a major investment — those pencils, 2-inch binders, plastic folders, erasable pens, pencils, rulers, etc., add up fast. Those of us who can buy the supplies ourselves can look for 2-for-1 sales, etc., to start a little basket for People to People. That goes for food items, too.

Find out more at People to People’s Web site, www.peopletopeopleinc.org, or by calling them at 845-623-4900.

2003 FILE PHOTO: Girl Scout Jennifer Bryant, right, collects back to school items outside the Office Depot as part of People to People’s “Back to School with Dignity” program.  On left is the director of the program, Linda Protzmann.