ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Many families across the state struggle with getting enough to eat. Food pantries outside churches and resource centers are one way that communities are helping those who need it. That includes one couple who has been giving back to their city for years. 

Barbara "Barbie" Simmons makes this trip through Rochester once a week, usually with her husband Ken in the passenger seat. 

“My answer is always 'we’re Ken and Barbie’s grandparents,'" said Simmons. "We got that a lot when we were younger."

They've done it every Wednesday for the last four years, stopping at food cupboards throughout one of Rochester’s poorest zip codes. 

"Everyone needs food, but these people need it more," said Simmons.

The first stop is always a pantry outside a community resource center.

Barb and Ken fill the shelves with fresh food, bread, vegetables and fruit.

Those are all things that are hard to come by in this neighborhood. The couple buys them all with their own money. 

The visits are about more than just dropping off food, it's quickly become about the connections made at each stop. 

Outside their second food pantry at the Black Box Theater, Barb greets every person by name and asks about their day. She started posting these conversations on social media and weekly posts quickly caught the attention of her friends. Soon they started donating food and money for Simmons' trips. 

“It’s the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We’ve been down to $40 and someone will send us a check," said Simmons.

But it’s not about the money or thanks for the Simmons, they do it to raise awareness about food insecurity in Rochester.

“Treat them like we want to be treated," said Simmons. "They’re just hard on luck or been born into the situation."

Even though they consider themselves Barbie and Ken’s grandparents, the couple plans to keep doing these trips as long as they can. 

“We’re all brothers and sisters. It’s true, if we’ve been blessed, bless others," said Simmons.