[ad_1]
Surging food prices are forcing people to find ways to stretch their dollar at the grocery store. This has been hard for low income families, which is why local food pantries, like CazCares in Cazenovia, are playing important community roles to help people get what they need to survive.
A customized grocery order is something that nearly every person who comes to CazCares takes advantage of. It’s a service that’s become especially helpful with rising food prices.
Staff members say they help feed 200 families each month. CazCares is a food and clothing pantry that has been helping people in Madison County for 40 years. People like Madison County resident Danny Osborne.
“I used to get a lot my work clothes here, but I don’t work much anymore,” said Osborne.
Osborne has been struggling with illness, having had a liver transplant that put him out of work. He says he comes to the pantry once a month.
“I get clothes that I couldn’t afford. Sometimes I get socks and all types of stuff. I got this jacket here,” he said.
In the last year pantry volunteers have helped at least 800 people. They’ve even begun delivering groceries to people that have trouble with transportation.
“We provide a safety net for families that are worried about not having enough food that are able to come and get food without any prejudice,” said Gigi Redmond, CazCares executive director.
On top of the food pantry, once a month they have a fresh food giveaway in which local grocery stores provide fresh produce and staple foods. It happens on the second Tuesday of each month and in a single day has helped feed more than 100 people.
They also have literacy programs and offer referral services for additional needs.
“I think that people should know that there are people who can use help at different times for different reasons that live right in your own community,” said Redmond. “They are no different than you or I, except they may have slightly less money to operate. We should welcome them in our community and help them whenever we can.”
According to data from CazCares, 26% of Madison County residents live in poverty. CazCares works with the Cazenovia School District to assist families in need as well as the CNY Food Bank to provide more food.
[ad_2]
Source link
