BOISE - Food banks across the nation - including in the Treasure Valley - are reporting critical shortages.

This year the Idaho Salvation Army says their donations are down 30 percent and they don't have enough supplies .

That means they have to ration their supply stock to avoid having to shut their doors to needy families.

Salvation Army director Rick Hempsmyer said if donations don’t pick up, Boise will see more homeless people in the street – and says more people will die from hunger.

Experts say the donation shortage is because of a combination of rising demand and a sharp drop in the excess of farm products.

In addition to a drop in canned food donations, the Salvation Army is reporting a drop in turkey donations.

Reps say they are short nearly 1,000 turkeys to give to needy families for holiday dinners.

Normally they provide turkeys and ham as part of their box food giveaway.

They say if they don't get donations from the community - they will be forced to pay for turkeys which takes money slated for other programs.