A food bank at a downtown church has expanded and is holding a food drive this Saturday to boost its supplies.

Suffolk Christian Fellowship Center’s new food pantry is open at 211 E. Washington St., a few doors down from the building where the church meets at 201 E. Washington St. Pastor Ralph and Lorna Slaughter said the church has been hoping and aiming for the expansion for a long time.

“It’s what we’ve been wanting to do for years,” Lorna Slaughter said. “We just kept praying and asking God for direction.”

The church already had a pantry but had a much smaller space for it, Slaughter said.

“This affords us a better opportunity to serve in a greater capacity,” she said.

At a grand opening ceremony last week, the shelves already were stocked with canned goods, boxed dinners, cereal and more. Slaughter said fresh produce, bread and baked goods also will be available.

“There are no income restrictions,” Slaughter said. “The only thing you have to bring is an ID to get an emergency bag.”

Emergency bags are available to each family once every 30 days, Slaughter said. The amount of groceries received will be based on household size. Ongoing help is also available.

“It helps you stretch your food budget,” Slaughter said, “whether you’re on food stamps or you’re coming out of your pocket. We want to provide food security for those who don’t even have that.”

Slaughter also said she hopes the new center can provide classes on how to prepare and eat healthy foods as well as health screenings and the like.

“We want to begin with educating people about healthy eating,” she said.

To help stock the pantry’s shelves, the food drive will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Style Shop, 177 E. Washington St. Donors can drive through and donate canned, non-perishable goods or cash contributions.

Call 539-2600 for more information.