After feeding millions over the past decade, a lifeline for Long Island families is about to disappear.
After years of serving some of Long Island's most vulnerable residents, a vital community resource is shutting its doors. A food pantry in Freeport is serving its final meal on Wednesday, marking the end of a decade of service that provided millions of meals to those in need.
Marie Ferere is devastated because she relies on the community food pantry, which is closing.The Long Island Council of Churches has been operating food distribution centers since 1970. Originally, there were three of them, but over the years, it has dwindled to only one location in Freeport. Over the last decade, the Long Island Food Pantry served about 600,000 people over 4 million meals, according to employee Decan Anthony Achong. "With rents going up, and gas going up, it's greatly affecting us; we do see an increase every month," Achong said.In March of last year, the Long Island Food Pantry fed 276 people. This March, it was over 1,200 people. "It's heartbreaking to me to see that this ministry that we have been doing for many years is coming to an end," Achong said.Janna Rodriguez operates a day care nearby and has been relying on them for food donations for the children. "Everything from fresh vegetables to fruit, to bread, people probably don't think of it, but when you have to provide a fresh meal for 16 children, every little bit helps," Rodriguez said.Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo,Suspect proclaims innocence in Brooklyn baby's death ahead of arraignment as family attends burial
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