CANTON – The Church and Community Program in downtown Canton plans to keep its food pantry open during the pandemic.

“We anticipate that the number of people who need food assistance is likely to increase,” said Pat Alden, who is with the program. “Many of our volunteers are elderly (or snowbirds, or both), so we are actively recruiting new ‘occasional volunteers’ for the duration (whatever that turns out to be).”

Alden said that volunteers are needed at the Church and Community Program Food Pantry for the following types of activities:

• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of shelves, doors, handles, etc.

• Organizing and giving out food packages for families

• Office support – (mostly answering telephone)

• Unloading food deliveries and stocking shelves

• Scavenging boxes and/or bags for food packages – drop these by anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., M-F

There is also an occasional need for drivers to pick up food donations or take food packages to clients.

Alden said volunteers will be needed specifically Mondays through Thursdays for daily cleaning of office surfaces, and disinfecting of shelves, doors and handles, and office support in two-hour shifts, anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the pantry will need volunteers to assist with creating food packages, in 2½ hour shifts between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Volunteers will be needed on Wednesdays, March 18, April 1, 15, 29 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to help with unloading the Food Bank delivery truck. Those wanting to help are asked to call the day before to confirm the time of delivery.

On Fridays, March 20, April 3, April 17 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., helpers will be needed to prepare food packages for the Senior Outreach Program.

Delivery volunteers will be needed on Mondays, March 23, April 6, April 20 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to bring food packages to specific residents at Riverside High Rises.

To volunteer for a specific task or time, call the CCP office at 315 386 3534 or email ccp74@centralny.twcbc.com.