WORCESTER, Mass. - ​St. John's Food for the Poor is the busiest soup kitchen each morning in Worcester. On Tuesday, it was even busier than normal.

"When it's really cold people need this place," program manager Billy Riley said. "They need it every day, but a little extra need when it's real cold."

Riley opened the doors a half hour early at 6 a.m. because of the dangerously cold temperatures. 

"There was people outside and it was really cold," Riley said. "I let them in to warm up and wait for the food to be ready. Then they can have something to eat." 

What You Need To Know

  • St. John's Food for the Poor is the busiest soup kitchen in the morning in Worcester
  • The pantry opened a half hour early Tuesday to let people in from the cold
  • They served up more than 300 meals and gave people a place to get warm
  • By the time they close at 10 a.m., the pantry said most people are able to find another warm place to go

The pantry wasn't just serving up a hot meal, Riley said they helped keep about 300 people warm, too. He said he sees close to that many people every day, regardless of the weather.

"One thing they always say is 'I have enough food for today'," Riley said. "A lot of these people struggle every day and when they come in here, a lot of their struggles are on hold for a little while. You know, we try to help them out."

The pantry closed at 10 a.m., but by then, Riley said, more people are able to find a warm place to go.