Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell has long been a champion of North Country food pantries, but she had an opportunity Tuesday to turn words into action.
The assemblywoman accepted an opportunity from Connie Jenkins, director of the Church & Community Program, to work a volunteer shift at the food pantry in Canton.
Ms. Jenkins said she invited Assemblywoman Russell to the food pantry as part of an awareness campaign aimed at attracting and growing the number of volunteers needed to run the program.
"I thought she would be receptive to the request, and she was. We put her to work when she was here - stocking our fridges with new deliveries and helping serve our clients," she said.
Assemblywoman Russell said she has secured funding for North Country food pantries on an annual basis.
"I'm passionate about providing our food pantries with financial assistance so they can meet the need in their communities," she said.
"I've been tracking food pantry utilization since the recession and sadly utilization is continuing to increase. People are struggling to put food on their tables and that's generally an indication of even more need," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
"For several years now, I have secured additional grant funding for our North Country food pantries. The funding goes to the Food Bank of Central New York and then is allocated to the food pantries in the North Country so they can stretch their food budgets by getting the basics at a reduced rate," she added.
Assemblywoman Russell said the food pantry numbers also underscore the need for her fight to bring new employment to the region.
Ms. Jenkins said statistics from 2014 estimated just under 15 percent of St. Lawrence County residents don't have enough feed for the week.
The Church & Community Program food pantry - serving the towns of Canton. Clare, Dekalb, Hermon and Russell - is currently providing food to 200 families.
"It ranges from the elderly to young people with babies. Our oldest client is 93 and our youngest is 19. I sign up new people every week. The need continues to grow," she pointed out.
The food pantry director said she has seen a new demographic that raises concerns about the region's economy.
"I do have a group of people in their 20s. That's a concern. Some of our clients in their 20s are not working; some are working part-time, primarily at fast food restaurants. They need help," Ms. Jenkins said.
The food pantry distributes food twice a month to eligible families with household incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
The Church & Community Program director, whose tenure with the agency started in April, said she had been surprised to learn the food agency's greatest need is during the summer months.
But Ms. Jenkins said there is a shortage of volunteers at the food pantry to help distribute the food Monday through Thursday and assistance on Mondayand Wednesday mornings to unload trucks from the Food Bank of Central New York.
Anyone seeking information about volunteering can contact Ms. Jenkins at 386-3534.
"I had expected the highest need to be in the winter. I thought there would be more part-time jobs available and people would benefit from food grown in local gardens.
"But I've learned that is not the case. Families need the most help in the summer months when their children are home from school," Ms. Jenkins said.
She noted the food pantry is currently well stocked with vegetables grown in local gardens, donations from stores and regular shipments from the Food Bank of Central New York.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Connie Jenkins (r), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the fresh vegetables that are available for clients at the food pantry at 7 Main St.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Connie Jenkins (r), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the fresh vegetables that are available for clients at the food pantry at 7 Main St.
Connie Jenkins (l), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the meats available for client sat the food pantry during an orientation session. After receiving a sort training session, Assemblywoman Russell assisted staff and volunteers serve clients Tuesday.
The Church & Community Program in Canton is seeking volunteers to help out at its food pantry and would benefit greatly from volunteers that would be available on Mondays and Wednesdays to help unload trucks. Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell volunteered at the food pantry Tuesday and helped unloaded boxes of groceries donated by Price Chopper.
The Church & Community Program in Canton is seeking volunteers to help out at its food pantry and would benefit greatly from volunteers that would be available on Mondays and Wednesdays to help unload trucks. Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell volunteered at the food pantry Tuesday and helped unload boxes of groceries donated by Price Chopper. Volunteer Louis Tremaine and CCP board member Pat Alden join Assemblywoman Russell with bringing in the groceries.
Connie Jenkins (r) shares the protocol for filling orders at the Church & Community Program's food pantry with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (center) as volunteer Rebecca Turner looks on.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell assists a client fill their order Tuesday at Church & Community Program food pantry in Canton.
The assemblywoman accepted an opportunity from Connie Jenkins, director of the Church & Community Program, to work a volunteer shift at the food pantry in Canton.
Ms. Jenkins said she invited Assemblywoman Russell to the food pantry as part of an awareness campaign aimed at attracting and growing the number of volunteers needed to run the program.
"I thought she would be receptive to the request, and she was. We put her to work when she was here - stocking our fridges with new deliveries and helping serve our clients," she said.
Assemblywoman Russell said she has secured funding for North Country food pantries on an annual basis.
"I'm passionate about providing our food pantries with financial assistance so they can meet the need in their communities," she said.
"I've been tracking food pantry utilization since the recession and sadly utilization is continuing to increase. People are struggling to put food on their tables and that's generally an indication of even more need," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
"For several years now, I have secured additional grant funding for our North Country food pantries. The funding goes to the Food Bank of Central New York and then is allocated to the food pantries in the North Country so they can stretch their food budgets by getting the basics at a reduced rate," she added.
Assemblywoman Russell said the food pantry numbers also underscore the need for her fight to bring new employment to the region.
Ms. Jenkins said statistics from 2014 estimated just under 15 percent of St. Lawrence County residents don't have enough feed for the week.
The Church & Community Program food pantry - serving the towns of Canton. Clare, Dekalb, Hermon and Russell - is currently providing food to 200 families.
"It ranges from the elderly to young people with babies. Our oldest client is 93 and our youngest is 19. I sign up new people every week. The need continues to grow," she pointed out.
The food pantry director said she has seen a new demographic that raises concerns about the region's economy.
"I do have a group of people in their 20s. That's a concern. Some of our clients in their 20s are not working; some are working part-time, primarily at fast food restaurants. They need help," Ms. Jenkins said.
The food pantry distributes food twice a month to eligible families with household incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
The Church & Community Program director, whose tenure with the agency started in April, said she had been surprised to learn the food agency's greatest need is during the summer months.
But Ms. Jenkins said there is a shortage of volunteers at the food pantry to help distribute the food Monday through Thursday and assistance on Mondayand Wednesday mornings to unload trucks from the Food Bank of Central New York.
Anyone seeking information about volunteering can contact Ms. Jenkins at 386-3534.
"I had expected the highest need to be in the winter. I thought there would be more part-time jobs available and people would benefit from food grown in local gardens.
"But I've learned that is not the case. Families need the most help in the summer months when their children are home from school," Ms. Jenkins said.
She noted the food pantry is currently well stocked with vegetables grown in local gardens, donations from stores and regular shipments from the Food Bank of Central New York.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Connie Jenkins (r), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the fresh vegetables that are available for clients at the food pantry at 7 Main St.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Connie Jenkins (r), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the fresh vegetables that are available for clients at the food pantry at 7 Main St.
Connie Jenkins (l), director of the Church & Community Program in Canton, shows Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell some of the meats available for client sat the food pantry during an orientation session. After receiving a sort training session, Assemblywoman Russell assisted staff and volunteers serve clients Tuesday.
The Church & Community Program in Canton is seeking volunteers to help out at its food pantry and would benefit greatly from volunteers that would be available on Mondays and Wednesdays to help unload trucks. Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell volunteered at the food pantry Tuesday and helped unloaded boxes of groceries donated by Price Chopper.
The Church & Community Program in Canton is seeking volunteers to help out at its food pantry and would benefit greatly from volunteers that would be available on Mondays and Wednesdays to help unload trucks. Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell volunteered at the food pantry Tuesday and helped unload boxes of groceries donated by Price Chopper. Volunteer Louis Tremaine and CCP board member Pat Alden join Assemblywoman Russell with bringing in the groceries.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell helps load meat donated to the food pantry in the refrigerators at the Church & Community Program food pantry in Canton.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell helps load meat donated to the food pantry in the refrigerators at the Church & Community Program food pantry in Canton.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell assists a client fill their order Tuesday at Church & Community Program food pantry in Canton.
