One guy was fresh out of prison. He was covered with tattoos, polite, and well spoken. He just asked if they could give him anything to eat. The Church and Community Program (CCP) doesn’t actually have a lot of food that works for people experiencing homelessness since their meat is big and frozen and only some canned items have pop tops. Plus, fresh food is in and out the same day. But they got him some food that he could carry, cook, and eat. Then they added a Care on the Go bag with microwaveable dishes, a can opener, and personal care items. He exclaimed over every bit of food and care items. “Oh, shampoo! And soap! I can get clean now,” he said.

Another recipient was a 90 year-old who is still working and needs help making ends meet. One was a new mother cuddling the baby she has such high hopes for. One couple just moved here from far away to start a new life together.

One young man came in who had been living with his mother to take care of her. They got behind on rent and were evicted. She went to Ogdensburg. He was going to be sent to Massena and was frantic since neither of them had a vehicle or a phone. Again, CCP gave him what they had and cared.

Many who benefit from the CCP are the working poor who need a lot of help to get by. The CCP offers a lot of good food and lets people get it more often than most pantries will allow. They take care of them from the pantry and the thrift shop. Most, if not all of them, are deeply appreciative, not just for the help, but for knowing someone cares about them.

Every month, anywhere from 10 to 25 new people have turned to CCP’s pantry for help. In January, which is typically their slowest month they served 170 households. In August, typically one of their highest demand months, they served 232 households or 546 people.

The UU Church of Canton has been supporting the Church and Community and Program since 1974. It serves residents in the towns of Canton, Hermon, Clare, DeKalb, Lisbon and Russell. Please donate generously to this vital ministry. Thank you to those who volunteer and support the CCP.  

The entire offering collected at the Holiday Pageant on December 17th and the Christmas Eve service will go directly to the CCP and is our congregation’s main way to support the CCP. If you are not able to attend the Pageant or Christmas Eve please generously support the CCP by sending a check to the church or donate online with ‘Holiday Appeal’ in the memo.

In peace, 

The Rev. James Galasinski