A food pantry in Mount Dora is putting out an urgent call for food donations. Lake Cares Food Pantry has experienced a decline in food donations, while hunger continues to rise in the area. The pantry, which in 2024 served about 1,600 families a month, has seen that number increase by 500, putting a strain on resources and leaving pantry shelves almost bare. Lake Cares Executive Director Kelsey Gonzalez said it’s pretty typical that food donations drop after the holidays.