With summer just around the corner, local food banks are running low.

Joanne Santucci, executive director of Hamilton Food Share, an organization that distributes food to local banks and gets 80 per cent of its supplies from the food industry, said there is a lull in food donations across the city.

"Traditional food sources like food drives has seen a steady decline and food sources in the industry are shrinking," she said. "Donors are also donating their time rather than canned goods.

Since a good return over the Christmas period, the Good Shepherd has seen its stockpile dwindle after an Easter that yielded little in the way of supplies, according to its director Carmen Salciccioli.

"Heading into June, with kids at home over the summer break, buying food is hard to maintain for people on a low income," he said, adding that more than 3,000 patrons use the local food bank per month and usage has been increasing by at least three per cent annually.

The Good Shepherd is creating a list of foods most needed and will print it on paper bags in the hope the information will help bring more donations into the warehouse.

Items high on their list include peanut butter, baby food, formula and canned meat.

Neighbour to Neighbour is also low on canned foods such as tuna and salmon, nut butter and cereal, according to Sarah Collyer, director of community food programs.

Jeremy Young, manager of social services at St. Matthews House, said they are experiencing a high volume of customers which has led to spending more money on food.

"We are experiencing a slower time right now which could be due to donor fatigue," he said. "The demand is always there. It's ongoing."