PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The South Community Food Pantry in Pittsfield is running a special collection for their director's birthday. Mary Wheat said all she wants for her 90^th birthday on October 14 is cereal, and a lot of it.

“900 boxes of cereal for 900 households that we serve every week so each household can get one box of cereal," Wheat said. "We don't have much cereal coming in. People like cereal and we just feel that that's a great need that we can’t always get from the food bank.”

Wheat said between deliveries and their open pick-up hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, they serve nearly 1,000 families every week.

“We need support to continue doing that,” Wheat said.

“I've noticed in the last year, I would say that we've had a lot more people coming in,” said kitchen manager Char Parron.

Parron said the demand for their community meals seems to be growing as they now serve about 350 people on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with a few new faces every week.

“I think it's because there's so many people that are in need and there are so many pantries that are open that all the stuff is going to be donated to," Parron said. "All the other pantries are getting shortened because there's so many pantries that are now opening, giving out food and there's more and more people that are in need.”

“We couldn't do it without volunteers," Wheat said. "And without donations. We need monetary and food donations.”

With about seven weeks to Wheat’s birthday, she said the 900 boxes of cereal would make her 90^th sweet.

“Well, with the cereal," Wheat said when asked how she'll celebrate her birthday. "And my family.”

“I am astounded about it," Parron said. "I can't wait to see if we hit that 900. I really am excited about it.”

“It just makes you feel good to help others,” Wheat said.

Donations can be made in-person on weekday mornings or mailed to the food pantry at 110 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.