A church that houses a food pantry in Mott Haven is slated to close.

The Metropolitan New York Synod Council voted to close St. Peter's Lutheran Church, stating that it has been running under a deficit for years. The decision also means the food pantry that operates from the church would be closing.

Community leaders are now looking for support to keep the church and pantry open, saying the closure would leave a void in the community.

Residents who rely on the food pantry are devastated. They say they use the pantry for food and other items such as diapers.

Pantry volunteers say they serve as many as 300 people a week.