From left, Anne Richey, Shawn Villnave, Marc Ferriter-Haynes, Jeff Hewitt, Jennifer Boyd, Sharon White and Pete Carvel.

CANTON -- Staff and participants of CP of the North Country’s residential program have received the Church and Community Program’s First Community Partner Award.

This award is presented to an organization in the community that has consistently and quietly supported the program.

Staff at the Judson IRA decided that it would be a great idea for residents, who have varying developmental disabilities, to learn about and experience giving back to their community. Staff and residents have been faithfully transporting food every Monday from Wal-Mart in Potsdam to the Church and Community Program’s Canton food pantry.

Direct Support Professional, Jenn Boyd, states, “This experience has allowed our consumers to grow as individuals and take pride in giving back to those less fortunate than them. Every Monday when we go to Wal-Mart to pick up the food that Wal-Mart donates our consumers are interested in knowing how much is being donated and what kind of food. It has become routine for our consumers to participate in this activity; they look at the calendar every week to see whose turn it is to volunteer and look forward to seeing other volunteers whom they were able to get to know over the last year.”

The Church & Community Program operates a food pantry and thrift shop on Main Street in Canton. The free food received from Wal-Mart as a result the program’s connection to the Food Bank of Central New York and local donations from churches and friends in the community, enable the Church and Community Program to provide food and clothing to those in need as well as emergency financial assistance and referrals when necessary.