BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- A new program at one Broome County school is helping students and their families put food on the table.

East Learning Center, an alternative school for at ask risk youth, recently launched a food pantry pilot program.

Families with students at the school are eligible to receive 7 meals each month.

Since it launched in November, the program has served more than a thousand people.

Students who volunteer to work are eligible for both work and school credits toward their graduation.

"They're gaining some work based learning skills that fit in with their credentials toward graduation, specifically for career development and occupational studies so both our middle and high school students are actually earning credits as you see them working today," said Charles Wheeler, East Learning Center Executive Principal.

180 students attend East Learning Center and 80 percent are eligible for free or reduced meals.