DENVER -- You know the economy is getting bad when, instead of toys, kids are asking Santa for food.

Rich Lopez has been playing Santa in Boulder for eight years. He told 7NEWS he loves that job because he enjoys listening to kids talk about their Christmas wish list.

"I'll get requests from girls for Barbie dolls or play sets," Lopez said. "Boys ask for Power Rangers or games."

The long-time Santa said several recent requests nearly brought tears to his eyes.

"This year, for the first time, I had several kids ask for food: food for their grandparents, food for their family," he said. "It just broke my heart."

Lopez is chairman of the board of directors at The Denver Foundation, a community group dedicated to improving life in Metro Denver through philanthropy and leadership.

He asked the foundation to help. It responded, launching the Critical Needs Fund to help replenish shelves at area food pantries.

"The shelves are bare here," said Jeff Hirota, the foundation's vice president of programs. "The money and the food go out faster than we can keep up with it. It's just going to get harder through the winter."

Hirota told 7NEWS that The Denver Foundation wants to raise $500,000 to help combat hunger.

He said The Colorado Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the Donnell Initiative and several other groups have already contributed to the Critical Needs Fund.

"We're going to send that aid directly to front line and get it out to the most vulnerable in our community as fast as we can," Hirota said.

One of the front line beneficiaries is the Metro CareRing, a food pantry at 1100 E. 18th Street in Denver.

Executive Director Jon Holmer said Metro CareRing provides food to about 45 to 50 families a day. He said that adds up to about 33,000 people a year.

When asked about demand, Holmer said, "It's been through the roof in terms of increase. We've been seeing an increase since last February and March."

Holmer said he is "overjoyed" by the expected help from The Denver Foundation.

"That kind of recognition can bring the community together. It will make it possible for us to continue providing a service," he said.

Hirota said the goal of the Critical Needs Fund is to provide immediate assistance to those in need, and to raise awareness of the far-reaching impact of hunger insecurity and poverty.

Anyone interested in giving to the Critical Needs Fund can contact The Denver Foundation by phone at 303-300-1790 or online at DenverFoundation.org.

The Critical Needs Fund has only been activated twice in the past. Once to provide energy assistance to nonprofit organizations coping with rising energy prices and once to address hunger issues for school children in the summer.

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