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.
With demand only increasing, the closing comes at a bad time.
Marie Ferere is devastated because she relies on the community food pantry, which is closing.
"I went to other places, but this place is a great place," Ferere said.
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.
Achong says they see more people in need of food every week.
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.
A lack of funding led to the decision to shut down.
The food pantry was subsidized by churches, grants, and fundraisers.
Ultimately, they could not stay open.
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.