New York and New Jersey food charities that were already struggling to meet rising demand amid the lingering weak economy face new challenges in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, reports NPR.

With many families left temporarily homeless, some food banks have seen the volume of their distributions double in recent days, and other charities that provide free meals or groceries were themselves washed out by the storm. Officials with local food charities also worry about what will happen when makeshift soup kitchens set up to feed storm victims wind down operations in the coming weeks.