Brother, can you spare some food?

In the world of food, marshmallows carry little weight, nutritional or otherwise.

And yet, some 23,000 lbs. of the things flew off Food Lifeline's shelves in just three days.

"I have never experienced such a high level of need for food," said Linda Nageotte, CEO of Food Lifeline, the largest hunger-relief organization in the state.

"We literally cannot keep food in our warehouse," she said. "It barely lands on the floor and it's back out to the agencies."

One of those agencies is the Ballard Food Bank, where one recent morning 40 people stood in line 90 minutes before the doors opened. In the pouring rain.

Homeless kids with empty backpacks. The elderly.

There was also a 52-year-old guy named Pete, who didn't want to give his last name. I understood why.

"It's humiliating," he said of coming to the food bank.

Pete worked as a blackjack dealer in Atlantic City and Las Vegas before coming to Seattle 15 years ago. He hoped to work in a casino here, but instead found work in construction. He was getting steady work until about four months ago, when new construction fell off, fast.

He had no choice but to go to the food bank to sort through the produce, dry food and refrigerators full of meat and dairy goods.

"I've never stood in line like this," Pete said, without prompting. "Always paid my way."

Behind him, a man did the crossword puzzle. A woman and little girl perused the donated clothing. Most stared into space. This was a quiet crowd.

But it's growing fast.

In Washington state last year, more than 40,000 residents signed up for food stamps, according to the state Department of Social and Health Services. That's a 6 percent increase. An estimated 251,000 households — more than 1 in 10 — live with hunger.

Seattle Postmaster Terry Freeman urged people to support the 17th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive this Saturday by leaving nonperishable food items next to their mailboxes. Letter carriers will bring donations to the post office, where they will be sorted and delivered to food banks by Food Lifeline volunteers.

Last year, King County mail customers donated 760,000 pounds of food in one day.

It is in good hands with Food Lifeline. Last month, the agency won national awards for two innovative programs: One "rescues" prepared and perishable food from local restaurants and hotels; the other has companies competing to raise funds and food for hungry children.

Their efforts won't be for naught. The Ballard Food Bank saw an 11 percent increase in clients from the first quarter of 2008 to that of 2009, according to director Nancy McKinney.

Her clients are not all out of work; some have jobs, but have lost hours or taken pay cuts.

"More clients are dressed like they are going to a day job," McKinney said. "Folks are coming in on their lunch hour."

She understands how food loses in the fight to make ends meet.

"You have to pay the light bill, the gas bill," she said. "Food is the last thing, because you don't owe it to anyone."

Ah, but everyone deserves something to eat. Even fresh flowers (donated by Trader Joe's), if clients want them.

Does anyone ever take them?

"Oh, sure," said operations manager Peggy Bailey. "They get them, and then they cry."

Nicole Brodeur's column appears Tuesday and Friday. Reach her at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.

And they can visit with Jake, too.