MARION — More than 500 people have been served through the food pantry at the Cushing Community Center since operations began in January, select board members were told at their Tuesday meeting.

The work has been so successful that Marion may reach out to Mattapoisett and Rochester to join forces in the effort, said Paul Naiman, who serves on the food pantry steering group. 

“There’s clearly a need out there,’’ he said as he provided an update on the project, nearly six months after the pantry opened its doors.

Of the 501 people served by the pantry, 55 percent are seniors, he said. About a third are ages 18 to 64, Naiman reported, and 12 percent are younger than 17.

“This isn’t just assisting seniors,’’ Naiman told the select board. “It’s really wide-ranging demographics. ‘’

The poverty level in Marion is 4% and rises to 7% among seniors, officials have reported.

Pantry supporters would like to vary the type of food available, he said. “There’s only so much rice and pasta and peanut butter that people can consume.’’

One way to do this, he noted, would be to add refrigeration units, which would allow perishable goods to be stored. 

He praised the community for its support. In addition to food donations, Naiman told the select board that the pantry has received about $6,000 in cash donations, which helps to keep the shelves stocked.

The pantry has also been given individual donations, including 100 hams donated by Tabor Academy for Easter distribution.

“The community has been incredibly supportive,’’ he said. 

The pantry, the only such facility in Marion, is located at 465 Mill St. and is open Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.; and Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon.