Then, when his monthly disability check increased, Frazier, 60, lost his food stamps.

Once a month, he rides the bus from his Abbey Court apartment to the Inter-Faith Council Food Pantry to pick up two free bags of groceries.

"I never thought I would be in this predicament," said Frazier, who cooked for UNC Hospitals and a local fraternity for more than a decade. "But I'm very grateful for programs like this."

So are a lot of people.

The IFC distributed 950 bags of groceries in February, 36 percent more than in February 2007.

And two-thirds of the way through its fiscal year, the IFC has distributed 7,703 bags, a 41 percent increase over the same period last year.

"We need more food," executive director Chris Moran said Monday.

Only half of the Food Pantry clients visit the 110 W. Main St. pantry every month.

"If everybody came every month, we'd be in trouble," Moran said.

The community has a chance to help fill the shelves Sunday when the IFC and Church World Service hold the annual CROP Hunger Walk.

Three-quarters of the money raised will go to Church World Service, a nonprofit that fights hunger in more than 80 countries.

The remaining 25 percent stays in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area to support the IFC's Community Kitchen and Food Pantry.

"Two years ago, we had 600 walkers," said Charles Williams, the organizer of this year's walk. "Last year, we had 350 even though the walk occurred during a pouring rain while a tornado watch was on!"

This year is a big one for CROP Walk watchers. The IFC hopes to break the $1 million mark for hunger relief.

Past walks have raised a total of $947,000.

"We know that raising $53,000 this year is a realistic goal," Moran said, adding, "This money is especially needed this year as the economy sours."

Last year's walk, despite the weather, raised $48,000. The 2006 walk raised $60,000.

Community members can invite friends, businesses, organizations and employers to sponsor them before the walk. High school students can also get two service learning hours. Afterward, participants can return to the Carrboro Town Commons for music and refreshments.

Nationally, fundraising professionals are watching to see how the economy affects charitable giving in 2008.

Last year, almost two-thirds of charities reported raising more money than the year before, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals. About a quarter reported raising less money, and the rest reported raising about the same as the prior year.

Frazier, who has diabetes and high blood pressure in addition to vascular disease, had an operation recently to run an artery from his chest to his legs and can walk some now.

His $900 disability check helps covers his Section 8-subsidized rent, his utilities, medication and some food. He makes the dollars stretch by going to the supermarket early and buying reduced-price meat.

But he depends on the bags he gets from the IFC. They're filled with hamburger, chicken, fruit cocktail, canned beans, bread and cereal.

"I tell them every time I go there I really appreciate them," he said. "It's hard, man. I just really appreciate them so very, very much."