Dozens of local churches serve as avenues for the Middle Georgia Food Bank to get food donations to people who need it.
The food pantry opens at Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins every Wednesday to the nearly 70 people who come each week.
Food Director Rachel Blanchett offers comfort along with the food.
In the food pantry, pre-packed bags of groceries are lined up.
"Protein...fruit, we try and hit all of the food groups," Blanchett said.
Buggies are lined up too, which gives pantry visitors a chance to "shop."
With a limit on the specialty items, shoppers choose carefully during their visits.
One client, Gene, says the folks at the food pantry are nice and treat everyone equally.
"My son's got a birthday coming up next week and they gave us a cake," he said. "If it wasn't for this place here my family would go hungry."
Pantry visitors have to share some information with the church to use the service.
They need ID and social security numbers for themselves and everyone in their household.
They also need proof of residence as The United States Department of Agriculture requires food banks to serve only people who live in that county.
Barry uses the pantry and he says he barely has enough income to live on.
"My social security that I've been putting into since I was 10, I can barely live on," he said. "I've got $938 a month after they take out for my insurance."
"Someone losing a job, or sickness and just trying to get by -- we hear a lot of that," Blanchett said.
Being hungry and needing help can happen to anyone.
"I think each one of us are either one mistake or one mistake or one catastrophe or one bad decision away from you know, needing help," Blanchett said.
In addition to the weekly food pantry, Trinity also hosts a supper on Thursday evenings that is open to everyone -- with no registration needed.
Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 129 S. Houston Road in Warner Robins.
