Anyone who's been to a local food distribution knows it’s important to arrive early.

The trip isn't quick, and it’s first come, first served.

Special Project: Ann Arbor's Hidden Poor - Part 2 NEW: Getting healthy food to residents who are hungry poses challenge NEW: Network of food resources sees increased demand Struggles grow as job losses pull more famlies into poverty Low-income living takes resourcefulness Area's resources for help stretched thin Past 18 months have hit county's residents hard Hikone community center lifts chances for success Patchwork of programs provides help with food Percentage of Ann Arbor students receiving free/reduced school lunches Resources: Where to go for help in the Ann Arbor area Why we did this series on local poverty

At the Bryant Community Center in Ann Arbor, bags are set to be given out after 11 a.m., but people begin arriving before 8 a.m. to get in line.

Terena Maddox knows the drill.

For years, the 24-year-old Ann Arbor woman has been coming by to help fill her grandmother's pantry — and during tougher months, her own. Maddox and her fiancé have a 1-year-old girl at home, and she's working on a degree by taking online classes. Maddox has experience in health care and is looking for a permanent position as a home health worker while she works temporary jobs. Sometimes things get tight, and she’s considering leaving the state to find a job elsewhere, she said.

Most of food recipients are in their early 20s. Some are elderly or disabled and can no longer work. Others have immigrated to Ann Arbor and speak English as a second language.

Food to be distributed is brought by a Food Gatherers truck and fills a long table. There are boxes of produce like carrots and potatoes, boxes of cereal, canned goods and some perishables like egg beaters.

When numbers are called, visitors take their turn picking out groceries. Some step up to fill paper grocery bags with only a few items, while others bring rolling luggage bags and cram and zip as much food into them as possible before walking to the bus stop to take the food home.

A few years ago, the center made a change to make the wait more comfortable, putting out magazines for people to read. Most at the center have been there before and chat while they wait. Several help arrange tables for the food.

On a recent afternoon, a woman timidly entered the room with a few small children in tow. Looking around a room of tables filled with people, she appeared frightened.

Director Derrick Miller is used to seeing the look of fear on new faces. He greeted her and ushered her into the room.

"We have a first-timer," Miller quickly pointed out to the woman in charge of signing in visitors. She signed up and got a number: 51 that day.

A month later, the number topped 70 visitors in a single distribution.

Why should we care about the poor in Ann Arbor? Community Action Network executive director Joan Doughty discusses the issue.