The food crisis that has sparked riots worldwide and led some U.S. wholesalers to limit sales of rice last week is affecting local charity.

Seattle's Asian Counseling and Referral Service Food Bank, which serves more than 5,000 low-income clients a month, today sent out a press release asking residents for help.

"If the inflation stays on, we will only have 85 percent of rice available to our food bank clients with the same amount of money we spent in 2007," said Gary Tang, Program Director of ACRS' Aging Adult and Nutrition Services, in the release.

The organization hopes to raise $115,000 from its Walk for Rice event June 21 at Seward Park to offset rising prices. The annual 2.5-mile hunger walk should take on a new significance with rice shortage stories in the headlines. Prices for the popular staple reached an all-time high this year, sending poorer countries into a panic and pushing some U.S. shoppers to stock up.

The food bank, at 919 S. King St., gives food to low-income Asian Pacific Americans and others Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for the event is available online and by phone at (206) 774-2460. More than 1,000 people participate in the walk each year.

Know of other charities that need help in the face of rising food prices? Let us know.

P.S. -- Speaking of the rice shortage, did you know the U.S. government paid farmers millions of dollars not to grow rice in 2006? Our environmental reporters have more.

Update: A typo in this article has been corrected. The food bank hopes to raise $115,000.