BLOOMINGTON - While the holiday season is a time of joy, it also can be a time of frustration if there's not enough to eat and expenses are piling up.

Because of this, two Bloomington-based social service agencies are combining with the PrairieThunder ice hockey team in an attempt to ease the burden of the holiday season through donated food.

The result will be "Beat the Hunger" nights Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, 101 S. Madison St. Fans are encouraged to bring canned food for the needy for a chance to win an autographed hockey stick and team picture.

Each can of food is good for one raffle ticket, with a winner drawn between the second and third periods of each game.

The food will be divided between Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., and The Salvation Army, 611 W. Washington St. Both agencies are seeing increased need this fall.

"We're seeing numbers we've never seen before," said Home Sweet Home spokeswoman Sabrina Burkiewicz. In October, she said, the agency served 7,588 meals.

Spokeswoman Andrea Raycraft said The Salvation Army has had a 35 percent increase in food pantry orders.

Burkiewicz said the need is greater this year because of the poor economy.

"The burden that comes with the holidays can make people miserable and depressed and it is important for us to ease that burden," she said.

In addition to the canned food program, "Players Trees" will be displayed throughout the Coliseum starting Dec. 4. Fans are encouraged to pick an ornament bearing the photo of a player, and then purchase the item listed on the back, for the benefit of the needy.

Jerry McBurney, PrairieThunder general manager, said the programs are ways the Thunder is "working together with our fans to help people."