One Accord Ministry Outreach, a small storefront church on East Main Street in Bridgeport, is launching a food pantry to fight what officials describe as a surge in local hunger.

Pastor Cecilia Garrett decided to open the basement facility after seeing a critical rise in families seeking daily assistance due to historic cuts to federal SNAP benefits.

While the pantry is starting with just a few items, Garrett is actively calling for community donations to help stock the shelves and fill the immediate need in her neighborhood.

The church’s grassroots effort comes as state leaders warn that families across Connecticut are suffering from a widespread loss of food assistance.

Senator Richard Blumenthal praised Garrett for filling a vital gap created by the federal government and pledged his support to work toward restoring the cut benefits.