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CANTON -- Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell accepted an opportunity from Connie Jenkins, director of the Church & Community Program, to work a volunteer shift at the food pantry in Canton.

Jenkins said she invited Assemblywoman Russell to the food pantry as part of an awareness campaign aimed at attracting and growing the number of volunteers needed to run the program.

"I thought she would be receptive to the request, and she was. We put her to work when she was here - stocking our fridges with new deliveries and helping serve our clients," she said.

Assemblywoman Russell said she has secured funding for North Country food pantries on an annual basis.

"I'm passionate about providing our food pantries with financial assistance so they can meet the need in their communities," she said.

"I've been tracking food pantry utilization since the recession and sadly utilization is continuing to increase. People are struggling to put food on their tables and that's generally an indication of even more need," according to Russell.

"For several years now, I have secured additional grant funding for our North Country food pantries. The funding goes to the Food Bank of Central New York and then is allocated to the food pantries in the North Country so they can stretch their food budgets by getting the basics at a reduced rate," she added.

Assemblywoman Russell said the food pantry numbers also underscore the need for her fight to bring new employment to the region.

Ms. Jenkins said statistics from 2014 estimated just under 15 percent of St. Lawrence County residents don't have enough feed for the week.

The Church & Community Program food pantry - serving the towns of Canton. Clare, Dekalb, Hermon and Russell - is currently providing food to 200 families.

"It ranges from the elderly to young people with babies. Our oldest client is 93 and our youngest is 19. I sign up new people every week. The need continues to grow," she pointed out.

The food pantry director said she has seen a new demographic that raises concerns about the region's economy.

"I do have a group of people in their 20s. That's a concern. Some of our clients in their 20s are not working; some are working part-time, primarily at fast food restaurants. They need help," Jenkins said.

The food pantry distributes food twice a month to eligible families with household incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Church & Community Program director, whose tenure with the agency started in April, said she had been surprised to learn the food agency's greatest need is during the summer months.

But Jenkins said there is a shortage of volunteers at the food pantry to help distribute the food Monday through Thursday and assistance on Mondayand Wednesday mornings to unload trucks from the Food Bank of Central New York.

Anyone seeking information about volunteering can contact Jenkins at 386-3534.

"I had expected the highest need to be in the winter. I thought there would be more part-time jobs available and people would benefit from food grown in local gardens.

"But I've learned that is not the case. Families need the most help in the summer months when their children are home from school," Jenkins said.

She noted the food pantry is currently well stocked with vegetables grown in local gardens, donations from stores and regular shipments from the Food Bank of Central New York.