NEW BERLIN – In response to escalating number of individuals and families who struggle to make ends meet each month, one local organization is trying to ensure people in need will have food in their homes.

The New Berlin Housing and Preservation Company (NBHPC) has committed itself to helping people in need of food and other items since 2002 when it was accepted by Central New York Food Bank as a food pantry.

“We are here for those people who one week a month have to decide to either pay rent or buy food,” said pantry organizer Esther Doty.

The pantry is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Individuals and families are asked to come in on a walk-in basis.

Partnering with nearby pantries, the NBHPC has been able to offer residents of surrounding villages assistance when other pantries may have shortages and vice versa. The pantry was originally designed to accommodate residents mainly from New Berlin and South New Berlin, but Doty says everyone is welcome to stop by.

“Residents come in from as far away as Smithville,” said Doty. Others come from Oxford, Norwich, Columbus, Pittsfield and other bordering towns and villages. “We will not turn anyone away,” said Doty.

Removing at least one expense occasionally from the list of bills low-income individuals and/or families have is what the organizers say their main goal has always been and what they continue to strive for year to year.