CANTON -- There will be a free milk and food drive-thru event at SUNY Canton, 34 Cornell Dr., on Thursday, Aug. 13 starting at 11 a.m. Distribution will be in parking lot 6.

Through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (C.F.A.P.), government-funded grants have been made available to food banks and community organizations to help provide much needed food to those in need. The Canton distribution is organized by the American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) working with Dairy Farmers of America, Renzi Foodservice, the Town and Village of Canton, SUNY Canton, and community partners.

More than 2,000 gallons of milk and more than 21,000 pounds of additional food will be available through a local drive-thru event.

There will be 495 boxes of produce, 360 boxes of meat and 225 boxes of additional dairy items, each containing 20 pounds of products. Each vehicle will receive two gallons of milk and one of each box, while supplies last.

To ensure the safety and health of all involved in the distribution, there will be a drive- thru distribution process for this event. All drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and will be prompted to open their trunk to receive milk and products. If cars do not have a trunk, they will be prompted to open their window. Walk-ups will not be permitted. No registration or paperwork is required for this distribution.

At the close of August, ADANE expects to have facilitated the distribution of over half a million gallons of milk since the organization began collaborating with dairy companies and local community groups in June.