Hundreds lined up Wednesday in the rain at a food pantry in Cypress Hills, a community still struggling with food insecurity during the pandemic.

The event took place outside of Las Maravilla De Exodo in partnership with Arlington Village and Hope, Love and Restoration Inc.

The pantry has been operating for more than two decades, but Bishop Maldonado says the need has grown.

They expected to feed around 500 families just from the donations on Wednesday.

“Don’t take life for granted,” Maldonado says. “Today you could have a million dollars in your bank account and tomorrow you may have only a dollar or zero. So please lend a helping hand, join the forces, sit at the table and let’s help our community.”

Maldonado also took the time to bless and honor some of the mothers ahead of Mother’s Day.

The pantry operates every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Elton Street.