With the threat of state food banks losing more than 10 million pounds of food next year because of budget cuts, individual donations from are needed more than ever.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture will cut more than 15 percent of funding to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

The cuts are an unfortunate sign of the times, as a good program suffers a blow from state revenue shortfalls.

Food banks are not, as many may see them, simply a haven for people already in government welfare programs.

Such programs are a boon for working-class families and individuals who earn enough to exempt them from most government programs, but not enough to maintain a stable standard of living.

Out of the more than 744,000 people who visit a Michigan food kitchen or pantry annually, about 40 percent have at least one member of the household who is employed, according to a study by America’s Second Harvest.

Food bank programs also serve many children. About 44 percent of clients are younger than 18, and 11 percent are younger than 5.

Sadly, the sagging economy could lead to more families who need help from food banks - a prospect budget cuts make it difficult for food banks to prepare for.

In addition to monetary help, food banks and pantries are in constant need of volunteers to do everything from sort goods to make meals.

Food banks are community institutions, and now is the time for individual communities to step in where the state may not be able to.