The stock market may be more stable. The housing crisis could be easing. But agencies that feed the hungry in the Sacramento region have yet to see the effects of an allegedly improving economy.

In fact, they report lines that are getting longer, and more clients who have never before used a food bank or other social services.

"The public thinks that as soon as Wall Street starts to rebound, all is well," said Eileen Thomas of River City Food Bank in midtown Sacramento. "That is certainly not what we are seeing. The good things that are happening are not filtering down to the working poor."

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that the number of Americans who live in households where food sometimes runs out shot up last year to 49 million, the largest number since the government started keeping track. The report found that more than one in five children across the United States went hungry at times in 2008 because of a lack of food in their homes. That figure translates into 17 million children, up from about 12 million the year before.

The agency reported that 14.6 percent of American households were "food insecure" at some point in 2008, meaning that they were unsure they would have enough food to meet the needs of their families. In 2007, 11.1 percent of households fell into that category.

Agencies that serve needy people in Northern California said the trend is similar to what they have observed, and that 2009 has been just as tough, if not worse:

• During the first quarter of 2009, River City Food Bank served 50 percent more seniors than it did during all of 2008. It is projecting that it will serve about 4,000 senior citizens this year, at least double last year's total. "Last month, we served over 3,100 people and 25 percent of them had never been to our food bank before," said Thomas. "That's telling."

• At Francis House, which provides vouchers for rent and transportation and referrals for jobs, food and other services, "people are lining up hours before we even open in the morning," said director Gregory Bunker. "We have never seen anything like this in the 20 years I have been here. The whole gamut of people has gone up, but women with children for sure," he said.

• Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services is providing fresh food including fresh produce, milk, eggs and canned goods to as many as 1,000 people during two-hour "mobile clinics" at churches and other locations throughout the area this year. "We're seeing a steady increase of people in need," said director Blake Young. "We are not seeing the signs of an improved economy."

• The Placer Food Bank's clientele has jumped from about 10,000 two years ago to 45,000 this year, said director Dave Martinez. "We had a very abrupt loss of jobs because of what happened in the housing industry, and those problems affected retail, so we started seeing more and more people who never needed us before," he said. "When the economy was good, we almost closed our doors. Then everything changed. Recovery is going to take a long time."

The good news, said Martinez, is that donations are steady.

The Placer Food Bank and other charities have changed their fundraising tactics to reflect the shaky economy, he said.

"We have had to go very aggressive to keep up with demand, but when we do direct mail campaigns we're asking for $5 or $10, not $100," said Martinez. "People have responded."

Bunker said nonprofit groups are bracing for a difficult holiday season, when most of them try to raise the bulk of their funds for the year.

"I'm worried," he said. "It's anyone's guess how things will play out during the next month or two. But we're hopeful and prayerful that we'll continue to find the support we need."

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Call The Bee's Cynthia Hubert, (916) 321-1082.