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A food shortage in Tiffin's Salvation Army and FISH Food Pantry has been filled temporarily because of the success of the From The Heart campaign.

Mayor Jim Boroff said he set up the Mayor's Task Force on Community Assistance after being notified Tiffin-Seneca United Way's Director Pat DeMonte that these agencies had little resources and increasing demand.

"Truly the whole community participated in this," Boroff said.

Soups, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and bathroom and cleaning supplies filled two rooms at the First Presbyterian Church.

The campaign collected 3,752 items, DeMonte said, from drop offs at this and area churches, and at Kroger, Wal-Mart, and IGA food stores.

Students from Heidelberg University and Tiffin University helped with collecting and sorting the items which are to be delivered to the agencies today.

"I am thankful for what the community has done and the generosity they shared giving to those who don't have," said Captain Jerry Uttley.

The need, however, doesn't stop. Uttley said the Salvation Army saw a 25-percent increase in need over last year with 176 families in January using the agency who had never been in before.

Collections are expected to continue with Tiffin's Boy Scouts expecting to collect items in March and Tiffin's postal carries anticipating to collect items in May, DeMonte said.

Tiffin's Salvation Army is open Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. FISH Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday till 3 p.m. or on a need basis and can be contacted at (419) 448-0690.

Donations can be made directly to local relief agencies, DeMonte said.