The food pantry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Patchogue had been available for people in need every Thursday, but starting Monday, it will be open twice a week.

The pantry serves between 125-150 families a week, so volunteers and church leaders say the extra day was needed to serve the community.

The pantry is set up like a grocery store, allowing people to choose which items they would like to bring home. There’s also a soup kitchen and thrift store on site to help people further.

RISE Life Services operates the pantry along with the church – giving people in their program with special needs the opportunity to work at the pantry – giving them vocational and social experience, along with the feeling of helping others.

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