HERMITAGE - The Community Counseling Center of Mercer County on E. State Street opened a community food pantry in partnership with the Mercer County Food Bank on Friday afternoon that allows those in need to choose the food they want.

The choice model is presented as an alternative to food banks that offer pre-packaged goods.

The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An attendant will accompany visitors as they select foods. The amount they take depends on the supply of each food item.

The pantry also carries hygiene products and baby food.

John Mahitis, CEO of the Counseling Center, says he believes no one should go hungry.

"When you see children in need of just basic food staples like bread, water, milk, it hinders the soul's ability to thrive," he said.

There are over 16,000 people who face food insecurity in Mercer County according to the Mercer County Food Bank.

Mahitis adds that the pantry will be limited by the number of volunteers and the supply of food items.

"Being able to sustain the food bank with sufficient stock to feed as many as possible may become challenging from time to time as well," he said.

Mahitis says the food pantry is stocked thanks to donations from CCC employees, Mercer County residents, and the Mercer County Food Bank.

The Community Counseling Center is located at a public transit stop for those who do not have a car.

Becky Page, Executive Director of the Mercer County Food bank says that the choice model gives families more freedom to pick foods they like.

"It's less wasteful, in case there's something packed in a pre-packed bag that the family can't eat or won't eat, so it's always nice to give people the option of what they can choose for their household," she said.

The CCC asks people who face food insecurity to visit the food pantry once per week.