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Since opening a food bank on May 1, Cheryl Barton and Fannie Finkley with the Pensacola Caring Hearts, has organized and distributed food for hundreds of families in need in the Brewton community.

Housed in the J.L. Fisher Center, the Caring Hearts Food Pantry serves families who have a continued need for food in the area.

“We serve an average of about 80 families per week,” Barton said. “We hope to be able to do this every week for the community.”

Finkley is president and Barton is vice-president of the Pensacola Caring Hearts that is making the pantry possible in Brewton.

“We are glad to be here,” Finkley said. “And, the feedback we’re getting is that the people are happy the pantry is here.”

Barton arrives at the pantry early on Tuesday’s with Finkley coming in to assist with preparation of bags of food to be distributed to those looking for assistance.

“We start serving our people at 9 a.m. and we go until we serve everyone,” Barton said.

“We do get low on food,” Finkley said. “We hope to never really run out of food. We continuously work to make sure we keep food in the pantry for those who need it.”

Finkley said the group hopes to make purchases of seven large trucks of food throughout the year.

“There is a difference between a regular pantry and a mobile food pantry,” Finkley said. “We hope to get a truck later this month to serve as a mobile food pantry distribution.”

Currently, the only requirement to receive a food package is to provide the pantry volunteers with a name and the number of people in the family, Barton said.

“Even working people have trouble making ends meet sometimes,” Finkley said. “We are glad to be here to help them with food assistance.”

The pantry opened their doors for regular, weekly distribution on May 1. Distribution will continue each Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m., Barton said.

For information concerning the pantry’s distribution, contact Barton at 363-4551 or call the pantry directly at 251-241-9131.