CUMMING — A local nonprofit that provides emergency services to the Forsyth County area recently changed the hours for its client choice food pantry.

The Market at The Place of Forsyth County is now open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays and is accepting appointments for intake at 2550 The Place Circle.

Other hours of operation remain: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays; and 10 a.m.-noon and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. It is no longer open on Mondays.

While The Place has been providing emergency assistance, which includes food distribution, for 40 years, the model had been to hand out pre-packaged bags of donated food items.

“Most people do not want to be in the situation of needing assistance, and it is not very dignified to offer a bag of food that people may or may not eat,” said Joni Smith, executive director of The Place.

Staffed by volunteers, the small grocery setup enables qualified people to select items based on a point system.

This way, Smith said, not as much food is wasted because people can pick what they and their family want.

To qualify to participate at The Market, the following documents are needed:

* Photo ID

* Proof of residency

* Food stamps/Medicaid award letter

Without food stamps, proof of income for the past 30 days is required.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (770) 887-1098.