Thousands of residents who rely on a Wyandanch food pantry for essential groceries could soon lose their only source of food following a bitter lease dispute between church leaders and their landlord.

Bread of Life World Outreach Center has served the community since 2009. Pantry director Tanya Bowman said the need has surged dramatically over the years.

"We used to feed maybe 50 people. Maybe in a week. It changed to hundreds of families in a day," Bowman said.

The pantry currently reaches thousands of town residents every month.

However, a breakdown in negotiations over the property's lease has threatened the pantry's operations.

According to church leadership, they stopped paying rent in August after the landlord sold the property. Bishop Randy Brown and Pastor Gayle Brown contend they were not given sufficient time to secure funding to purchase the building themselves.

"I think it's for the betterment of the church. He doesn't want us in the building," Bishop Brown said. "We need to put ourselves in a position where we can get ready to relocate, go somewhere, do something, and at least have self-situated.

"In a statement provided to News 12, the landlord defended their actions, stating they supported the church's mission by keeping rent well below market rates and accommodating delayed payments. The landlord added that the church was given the opportunity to buy the property but failed to submit a formal offer before an agreement was reached with another buyer.

With relocation or closure looming, pantry organizers warn the fallout will hit the surrounding community hard.

"It will devastate this area," Bowman said. "They're here every week and the numbers are growing."