Tens of thousands of meals are on their way to help those battling food insecurity on Long Island.

Volunteers from different food pantries went to Island Harvest Wednesday in Melville and loaded their cars with food to help those in need.

Volunteers, like Benny Colon with Gateway Christian Center in Valley Stream, are taking the food back to their communities to help those who might be wondering where their next meal is coming from.

“When they see all what Island Harvest has been giving to agencies to supply for the people it’s overwhelming you can see the joy of the people," he said.

A total of 40,000 pounds of food will be going out to nearly 30 food pantries. Island Harvest says that will be about 32,000 meals.

According to Island Harvest, all of the food was bought using a grant from the New York State Department of Health’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Program.

The food bank says the most recent numbers from 2022 show more than 200,000 people on Long Island struggle with food insecurity.

Volunteers say the people they help are grateful.