WATERLOO - The rains and winds that devastated much of Iowa let up months ago, but the costly aftermath, combined with high food and fuel prices, continue to pound people's wallets.

As financial woes for Americans show no signs of slowing, neither does demand at the Cedar Valley's social service agencies, which are straining to keep up with demand.

So when the Cedar Valley United Way kicked off its annual fundraising season on Wednesday with a cloth-napkin meal and auction, president Sheila Baird tried to instill a sense of urgency. The stakes this year, she said, are much higher.

"We know we need to make people in the community aware that the need is greater than it's ever been, and it won't get better throughout the course of the winter and go away," she said. "I know that it's going to be tough for people to make ends meet. It's just not going to get any easier."

Visits have increased 25 percent at Northeast Iowa Food Bank compared to last year, even before the natural disasters hit. Since May, nearly 70 percent of people Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging has assisted with meals and rides have never sought help before. In the past few weeks, Operation Threshold has reported a 30 percent increase in people seeking mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or Jens.Krogstad@wcfcourier