T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART The new Brookside food pantry opens Thursday where director Kathy Frio and volunteer Ulla Martin give out canned goods to families in need.

BROOKSIDE — Brookside’s new food pantry brought in 16 families on its opening day as of Thursday morning.

The Brookside Food Pantry had its grand opening Thursday after moving from St. Anthony’s Church Community Hall in Bridgeport. The new location is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 853 National Rd. for residents of the Bridgeport School District who meet income eligibility.

Those who are eligible for an order at the food pantry are a one-person household who makes less than $30,120 a year, a two-person household who makes less than $40,880, a three-person household who makes less than $51,640, a four-person household who makes less than $62,400, or a five-person household who makes less than $73,160.

Others who are eligible include a six-person household who makes less than $83,920, a seven-person household who makes less than $84,680, an eight-person household who makes less than $105,440 a nine-person household who makes less than $116,200 and a 10-person household who makes less than $126,960. For each additional household member add $10,760.

The food pantry is sponsored by the Bridgeport Christian Friendship council, a nonprofit ecumenical organization founded in 1970. The purpose of the council was to provide assistance to needy families in the Bridgeport School District.

Clients can visit the pantry once a month where they can receive canned goods such as corn, green beans, peanut butter, jelly, soups, spaghetti and sauce, tuna, bread and baked goods and ground beef and hot dogs.

The pantry serves approximately 80 families each month. It is affiliated with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, where members of the pantry must follow guidelines to meet expectations. Members of the food pantry must take food safety training as well.

The pantry is run by all volunteers who work behind the scenes to help feed the hungry.

The food pantry relies on the support and generosity of the Friendship Council Churches and many Bridgeport organizations and businesses, such as Lansing Sportsman Club, Rotary, Forresters, Mail Carriers and Riesbeck’s.

Director Kathy Frio said the food pantry moved because volunteers needed a bigger and more modern facility.

Lee Bowman once led the food pantry first from 1970-2008, with Carol Grandstaff following from 2008-2017. Frio has been the director since 2017.

The food order depends on the family, such as a family of two will receive one of each item, a family of five will receive two of each item and a family of more than five will receive three of each item.

Frio said the food pantry gets a lot of elderly people and recently many East Ohio Regional Hospital employees who have lost their jobs.

She added many people who come are working individuals but can’t make ends meet.

She also said people who come in are truly grateful for the food they receive, and some families are repeat clients while others only come when they need it.

“You don’t have to be ashamed,” Frio said. “We’re here to help.”