PROVIDENCE — Facing record demands for food this year, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank kicked off its annual Holiday Meal Drive yesterday.

The organization’s goal: to boost its food collection by five truckloads this year. Ocean State Job Lot delivered the first truckload.

“We are anticipating a difficult winter,” said Andrew Schiff, executive director of the food bank. “As the economy worsens, our agencies continue to see new requests for help from people who never before needed assistance,” he said.

The food bank helps feed 40,000 Rhode Islanders, a 12 percent increase over last year, through a network of 300 agencies. More than 17 percent of the state’s children could go hungry, a recent study says.

Donors can deliver frozen turkeys and holiday foods to the nonprofit agency, or send a check to: Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907.

— Paul Davis