GREENSBORO – In the 20 years he's worked to feed the homeless at the Greensboro Urban Ministry's Potters House, Rev. Mike Aiken has never seen things so bad.

The organization has fed those in need for more than 40 years. But Aiken, Potters House executive director, said rising food prices and a slowing economy have put a strain on already limited resources.

"Each day, we serve over 700 meals," Aiken said. "We usually serve 100 meals for breakfast, 100 meals for dinner and over 400 meals at lunch time."

That adds up. In 2007, the ministry spent $80,000 on food, the majority of the money came from their annual CROP Walk – a national campaign to end hunger.

Thursday, organizers stepped up their efforts with a recruiting rally.

Dozens of business executives and community leaders got together to ramp up this year's campaign.

"If we are an entire community that the health and wealth and welfare of the lesser of us impacts us," CROP Walk Chair Ralph Wenger said.

Of the money raised this year, 25 percent will go to Urban Ministry.

Last year, 5,000 walkers laced up their shoes and participated, raising nearly $230,000. They raised the second highest amount of all CROP Walks in the nation, just behind Charlotte's $270,000

“You get out there on a Sunday and you walk with other people and you have a bagpiper out there," Wenger said. "And you have a band out there. And it's really a community activity."

A staggering number of the homeless Potter's House serves, 85 percent, don't live on the streets as you might think. They're poor, working families, Aiken said.

"A lot of families are right on the verge of becoming homeless. They're trying to stretch their resources," Aiken said. "One of the ways they can do that is, a lot of families come here to Potters House for a free meal."

And, Aiken adds hope.

"God loves us and God loves all of our brothers and sisters," Aiken said. "And we have a responsibility as people of faith to help end the hunger and to serve our brothers and sisters."