The Bridgeport Rescue Mission is experiencing a critical shortage of food supplies, officials there say.

The mission helps thousands of the area's most vulnerable residents with food aid every year -- but its pantries are running low.

Officials say they typically see a drop-off in giving this time of year, after the holidays, but this year has been abnormally slow.

"Donations are down, so our pantry is light on critical nonperishable goods and canned foods that we rely on to fill pantry bags," says Donna Romano, who helps run the nonprofit. 

If you'd like to make a donation, you can drop items off at 1069 Connecticut Ave. during normal business hours.