BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The Canton Village Board wants more information before honoring a request from the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program (CDP), Inc. for funding to keep the doors open at the Canton Neighborhood Center.

Village leaders discussed the funding request at Wednesday night’s monthly board meeting.

Mayor Michael Dalton noted funding for CDP is not in the village budget while Deputy Mayor Anna Sorensen voiced concerns around the village’s possible funding.

“There is no dollar amount yet a sense of urgency here,” Sorensen said. “Can we? Under what auspices? I would like to know more about their situation.”

It was mentioned the village has never provided funding to CDP.

The letter was signed by CDP Executive Director Barbara Adams and was addressed to the mayor.

“The purpose of this letter is to request support and funding from the Town of Canton to continue operations of the Canton Neighborhood Center. St. Lawrence County Community Development Program, Inc. Neighborhood Center has served the Village and Town Community of Canton for well over 20 years. This program has assisted low-income individuals and families through its food pantry by providing a 3-5-day food package as well as emergency assistance for things like rent and utilities. People may also receive personal care supplies,” the letter reads.

“In the past year the Canton Neighborhood Center has served 1503 individuals, 330 seniors, 1062 adults 18-64, and 426 children 17 and under. They have served 302 unduplicated households. These individuals and families are served through walk-in services or through our Mobile Delivery service for those without transportation, senior citizens and shut ins. While the Center receives CSBG grant funding, it covers only the wages for the center Director; all other support comes from local donations and/or small grant funds. They do receive HPNAP grants from the Food Bank of Central New York which covers a portion of the food purchased for distribution but does not take us through a year. Additionally, Canton Neighborhood Center is blessed to receive weekly food donations from Walmart and Bimbo Break as well as unutilized perishable food from St. Lawrence University when students go on break.”

“Even with all of this it just is not enough to serve the community. Since the pandemic, local monetary support of the Canton Neighborhood Center has dwindled to the point where it has been non-existent. The Canton Neighborhood Center, and all of the Neighborhood Centers have seen an increase in consumers seeking food since additional SNAP benefits were discontinued.”

“The Center is now faced with a decision to close due to lack of funds to continue serving the community and to cover operating costs; this closure would be devastating to the community. Not only do consumers get their physical needs met at the Center, but for many their social-emotional needs are met through camaraderie with others in similar situations. Many times consumers stop by just to have someone to talk with, ask questions, and get a sense of belonging.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider, and employer. We have worked together with you to improve the economic and social well being of the low-income people in your neighborhoods. We invite each of you to visit our Neighborhood Center at 5 West Street to meet our staff and volunteers and to see the work we do. We respectfully request your assistance in continuing the operation of our Canton Neighborhood Center.”

The mayor said he would reach out to CDP for more information.