Many Hispanic families have stopped seeking help from Chandler food and clothing banks since the governor signed Arizona's new immigration law last month. That worries operators who fear children are going hungry.

Aimee Runyon, executive director of Matthew's Crossing food bank on Arizona Avenue, said requests for emergency food boxes - enough to feed up to three people for three days - have dropped from an average of 45 a day to fewer than 20 a day in recent weeks.

"The last thing I want is for children to go hungry because their parents are afraid to come here," she said.

Nancy Burgess, an assistant working at Matthew's Crossing this week, said she is urging Hispanic clients to spread the word that their immigration status won't be questioned when they pick up food.

The Clothes Cabin, which distributes free clothing, towels and bedding to the poor from a storefront near the food bank, also has seen requests for aid plummet, said founder Caryn Shoemaker. "The beginning of the month is usually very busy for us; this month it wasn't," she said. To ease clients' fears Shoemaker recently posted a sign in English and Spanish: "We do not share your information with anyone."

Non-profits that receive grants or food distributions are required to document their service by collecting information about clients. The practice is fueling fears of immigration enforcement even though the law doesn't take effect until late July and the client information isn't shared, Runyon and Shoemaker said.

Chandler City Councilwoman Trinity Donovan is chief executive officer of the Chandler Christian Community Center. She said requests for food boxes at the center have dropped in recent weeks although numbers aren't available. "It's breeding fear and it's important that we have the correct information so citizens don't live in fear," she said.

The three Chandler charities are near downtown and between 70 and 80 percent of their clients have been Hispanic, their directors said.

Kevin Hartke, a council candidate and Christian minister, said representatives from many of the city's non-profits are discussing strategies related to Senate Bill 1070. "Our concern is how do we stay legal and continue our mission of helping those who need it," he said.

Runyon said non-profit leaders have been reluctant to speak out because of the controversial nature of the bill and their fear of offending donors who may support it. "I'd like to get on a loudspeaker and say, 'If you need food, please come here.' "

It's not just a Chandler issue. Mesa-based United Food Bank collects and distributes food to non-profits in several counties.

CEO Bob Evans said he's hearing about the drop in aid requests.

"We need to get that word out that we're not ICE, we're certainly not the sheriff's office and you're safe coming to our doors . . . but that's not to say the sheriff or city police won't be parked outside," he said.

Brian Sands, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputy chief who oversees immigration-related crimes, said no locations are off limits when it comes to immigration enforcement. But he said fears are unfounded the department will stake out charities to check clients' immigration status. Deputies would only go to a food or clothing bank if they were responding to a call or investigating a crime. In that case, the only individuals subject to questioning would be those suspected of criminal activity, Sands said.