JENNINGS — Second Harvest Food Bank at First Baptist Church is cutting its weekly food distribution to twice a month.

Minister of Education and Senior Adults Brian Wells said the church has been providing non-perishable food items to the elderly and families in need for six years.

“We were doing it every Monday from 1:30-4 p.m. at the church, but we have adjusted it to the first Monday and the third Monday of each month to better serve the community,” Wells said.

Church members and volunteers have spent the last few weeks handing out fliers and informing families that receive the monthly food distribution of the changes.

“The food distribution program is part of the Second Harvest Food Bank and we try to meet the needs of those families in need or who are facing a food shortage,” Wells said.

When the program first began, the church was serving some 130 households. About 300 households are now being served with a peak of nearly 700 households at one time, Wells said.

About 90 percent of the clients served are senior adults on fixed income, many who are helping raise their grandchildren, he said.

Wells said many of the clients are also being served by God’s Pantry, a food distribution site in Jennings.

Applications for the Second Harvest food distribution are available at the church, 1001 North Cary Ave. Applicants must provide proof of residence such as a utility bill, a photo ID and proof of income to include a paycheck stub or declaration letter from the Social Security Administration.

Those on disability who qualify for SNAP are automatically qualified for the commodities.

For more information or to volunteer for the food ministry program call the church at 337-824-3271.