The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County says fears over the coronavirus have left its shelves bare.

"This sort of thing doesn't happen every day where people are panicking because of a virus that's not only making people sick, but it's killing people," says warehouse manager Willie Johnson.

Johnson says shelves at the food bank are usually filled.

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"Over here we have cereal, hot cereals. These hot cereals usually run all the way down to the bottom. But they are emptying out. We're trying to keep it filled, but we’re struggling," Johnson says.

He says food pantries are stockpiling everyday items in preparation for the coronavirus in Connecticut.

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The Food Bank says it has launched a coronavirus preparedness program to equip pantries with everything they need.

"We want people, poor people to be able to, if they have to isolate, to be able to have the resources they need in their house the same way people who are capable of going to a supermarket do," says Food Bank Executive Director Kate Lombardo.

The Food Bank says it needs help getting crucial supplies like cereal, pasta and diapers. Food Bank officials are also looking to buy kid-friendly foods like mac and cheese, and peanut butter and jelly. They add that monetary donations are preferred because it makes it easier for them to buy supplies from wholesalers.

The Food Bank says it’s doing everything it can to provide a safety net for those in need throughout the community.