With heating oil and food prices soaring in a tough economic climate, families across the state will depend on community services for their daily meals and proper nutrition this winter. More than 350 member agencies, including soup kitchens, food pantries, elderly facilities and after-school programs, use the Food Bank. But the food inventory is lower than it has been in years.

Erin Torrey, development associate with the Food Bank, called the situation “frightening.” She said the inventory of about 120,000 pounds this summer was under the previous record low of roughly 160,000 pounds. Demand for food services is higher in the summer, when children are out of school and can’t receive free or reduced-price meals there, she added.

In an effort to feed the hungry, the Food Bank is organizing a Harvest Walk along marked trails through the fall foliage at Minard’s Pond in Bellows Falls, Vt., starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The registration fee is $25 and proceeds will benefit the Food Bank. Individuals and companies are asked to consider putting together a team of walkers to help raise money for the cause.

Organized by Sovernet Communications, the 1.5-mile walk is a collaborative with the Vermont Food Bank. Vermont walkers raised about $9,000 last year for their agency, and New Hampshire volunteers are being asked to participate this year. The registration fee is $25, unless the walker fundraises at least $100. For more information, visit www.nhfoodbank.org.

This summer, the New Hampshire Food Bank began a culinary training program for under-employed and unemployed people, modeled after a similiar program in Vermont. The eight-week class prepares students for restaurant employment with commercial kitchen experience and serves meals to people in need. Of the 10 people in the first class, Torrey said, eight of them now have full-time jobs.