As the economy continues to be the topic of conversation, a local church is stepping up to help Valley residents put food on the table.

Heather Hudson and her husband pick up food at the Calvary United Methodist Church twice a month.

Hudson explains, "This is like one of our major sources of food."

She blames the bad economy for her husband losing his job. Hudson says she's hopeful Congress can reach an agreement on the bailout package one day, but she doesn't know how much longer she and her family can wait.

Hudson says, "I hope that it's not a bunch of bull but you know, I really hope that they do help us because somebody's got to do something."

Shirley Kelley also thinks the government needs to do something about the declining state of the economy.

She says, "I mean it's just getting worse. Look at the gas prices. You can hardly afford to go out to get your food or groceries or pay your bills or anything. It's terrible."

Kelley worries a bailout package won't benefit her or other people that need assistance the most.

She comments, "I don't think it's going to help the middle class or the poor people at all. It's only going to benefit the rich."

Bill Cason, director of the church's food pantry, says he doesn't know how much longer the church will be able to give away free food due to the state of the economy.

He explains, "We have a hard time getting enough a lot of times."

For now, Kelley just wants to see a change.

She says, "I'd like to see it get a whole lot better. I'd like to see the people in Washington do a whole lot better job than what they're doing."

Cason says that the church's food pantry provided food to more than 1,500 people this month alone. He's very concerned that if the economy continues it's downward spiral, a number of those people will have no where else to get their groceries.

If you need food assistance, the food pantry at Calvary United Methodist Church is open and available for Augusta County residents on Monday and Thursday of each week from 2 to 5 p.m.