Donations to Ontario food banks have fallen short of fall targets. (CBC)

Premier Dalton McGuinty urged Ontario residents to give to food banks this weekend as many of the province's community food banks report shortfalls in their Thanksgiving drives.

"The need is there," McGuinty said in a televised message Sunday. "For those who can, lend a hand. We can do a lot of good, for a lot of people. Whether it is food or cash, your donation will help Ontario families … help them share the bounty."

Ontario food banks say donations have fallen well short of both their needs and expectations.

Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank has collected about 317,000 pounds of food and $173,000 in cash so far during the fall campaign, which ends Oct. 18. The target is 500,000 pounds of food and $500,000 in cash.

Food banks in other large communities report similar shortfalls.

They say the disappointing donations come as more families, still suffering from the effects of a shaky economy, continue to draw on local food banks. Dependence on food banks grew by an estimated 16 per cent last year, said a spokeswoman for the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto.

"It's very alarming, because in an ideal world we would like to see the number of people using food banks keep going down," said Sarah Anderson, a Daily Bread spokeswoman. "The fact that they keep going up is definitely a concern. It is a strain on our member agencies, our meal programs and on our programs that serve the people every day."

Anderson said the agencies particularly need canned foods such as meat, beans, vegetables and fruits, as well as baby food.

"We do still have a week to go, but that is still a short time to make it all the way."