The Hope for the Future food pantry in Farmingdale say lines are getting longer, and they need all the support they can get.

A "Night at the Races" event at the American Legion in Massapequa raised money for Hope for the Future.

Volunteers say the Farmingdale-based food pantry has been serving Long Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan for 36 years.

“We have some people coming after work just to help bridge the gap between what they’re making and what they need," said Dawn Mattina, a volunteer with Hope for the Future.

Volunteers say nearly 200 people line up at the food bank every week.

The pantry itself now needs help to afford the meals it's distributing.

“Cost of groceries alone, it’s so much money. I think the cost of living in general, people are on hard times, and they need help," said Drew Block, a volunteer with Hope for the Future.

In addition to raising funds for the food bank, the event also aimed to raise awareness. Organizers say they are in need of volunteers.

“Every Tuesday we do between 170 to 240 meals that then get heated up on Thursdays and given out to the people that come for food," said Christine Newell, another volunteer.

The pantry hoped to raise $5,000 for this first fundraising event.

For more information, visit the Hope for the Future website.