With the economy weakening, food pantries and thrift stores in Nanuet are feeling the impact.

At the People to People's food pantry, employees say the Rockland County charity has seen a spike in families that need its help. People to People says in April it provided food to 450 families. In August, the pantry says the number rose to 674 families.

At the local Goodwill store, donations are down 10 percent compared with last year but an increased amount of customers are looking to buy items at bargain prices.

Store manager Dave Gonzalez says the increase in sales is due to the tough economy, forcing people to conserve cash. However, some donors are holding on to their belongings longer than normal, hoping to get as much use out of them as possible.