The economic downturn has caused a Calgary charity that feeds children in summer programs and seniors to lay off staff and shut down one of its programs.

The Community Kitchen Program of Calgary says demand is up by 50 per cent, but donations of food and cash are down two thirds.

It's forced the organization to lay off four of 19 staff members and shut down one program, according to founder and CEO Marilyn Gunn.

"This summer is the most difficult. We've never had to lay off before, ever, ever in the full 24 years. We've never had to close a program before but we've had to this year, so that just shows you the type of economic difficulty and the lack of even food donations," she said on the Homestretch.

The community kitchen runs nine programs to address hunger in the city. It offers healthy lunches to children in summer programs, as well as other programs for seniors and families. It distributes food to people who need it and teaches them how to cook more economically.

Come September, the crunch is going to be even larger, - Marilyn Gunn

While no one in need has been turned away, staff are having to become more creative with lower-cost healthy foods, such as chickpeas and couscous, Gunn says.

Fewer private donations are coming in. There have been no food donations so far this summer, says Gunn — adding a family that used to donate is now even using the program.

"Come September, the crunch is going to be even larger," she said.

The slowing economy has also caused a surge in the number of people turning to food banks across Alberta and is inching up in other parts of the country. Alberta Food Banks recently made an urgent call for donations, saying "the shelves are bare" at many locations.

That too is having an impact on the Community Kitchen Program in Calgary, which receives help from the Calgary Food Bank.

Gunn is concerned about how more people, particularly seniors, will be affected if the downturn continues.

"Even for seniors, the costs, they can't afford a lot of food anymore. They're on a very fixed income, and so this is pretty grim."

If anyone wants to help out, the charity could use contributions of cash and food, because "for one dollar, it can feed two children," she said.