Jay Rightnour has left food auctions with much more than his money's worth.

For only about $50, "I've gone home with two coolers full of food; frozen vegetables, meats and drinks," the Edgewater resident said. "At a regular grocery store it would probably be $140."

Rightnour and 249 others cashed in at Friday night's food auction, run by Glen Burnie-based company Wishing Rock Auctions. He was buying food for himself as well as his son's and daughter's families.

"In these times, you've got to look for bargains," he said.

The company has seen crowds steadily...