Need remains high despite promising economic news

Americans received a bit of encouraging economic news last week when the U.S. Department of Commerce reported better than expected growth in the third quarter to go along with steady increases in housing prices and a modest decline in the number of jobless claims.

It is a promising snapshot to be sure, yet it’s hardly the full picture on Main Street, according to Canton Area Helpline President Charlie Doody and food pantry co-director Carolann Browne — two local social service agents who operate on the front lines of need in this town.

Doody, who is also the fire chief, said the number of calls placed to the helpline has increased “dramatically” over the past three years — which coincides, ironically enough, with the end of the last recession in 2009.

Since that point, U.S. GDP has risen slowly but steadily to its current high of $15.79 trillion; however, gains in the labor market haven’t been nearly as strong while prices for basic necessities, such as food and fuel, have risen sharply in recent years.

Doody said requests for fuel assistance are among the most common calls that the helpline receives, particularly during the winter months, although the needs run the gamut from health care to housing.

In most cases, a helpline staffer will refer the person in need to an outside agency, but they also provide direct assistance on a limited basis.

“The helpline was established as basically a safety net for Canton people who needed some short-term assistance to get them over the hump,” explained Doody, adding that all calls are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The helpline also refers many of its callers to the Canton Food Pantry, a sister agency that provides free food and personal care items to eligible residents who are experiencing economic hardship.

This year, the food pantry has been “exceptionally busy,” according to Browne, a retired nurse who has served as co-director since 2006.

“We are seeing more and more people every week,” she said. “Sometimes it’s one or two, sometimes it’s as many as four or five.”

Browne said the food pantry now serves approximately 80 clients per week, and on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, they distributed over 160 Thanksgiving meals, which included a turkey and “all of the food necessary for them to cook a nice dinner — from the beginning of the meal to the pies at the end.”

Browne said her heart breaks for the many Canton families in need, especially the single mothers who are trying their best to “make ends meet.”

“I think this time of year it affects them even more,” she said, “because they can’t provide for their kids as much as they would like.”

As for current donation needs, Browne said the food pantry is typically well-stocked during the months of November and December, although they can always use “anything and everything.” And while they do not normally give out toys, Browne said both she and co-director Cindy Poshkus would happily accept small holiday treats, such as stuffed animals, hats and mittens, or even Christmas candies and cookies.

“Just the little extra we would love to be able to do that,” she said.

Despite the increasing need across Canton, both Browne and Doody emphasized how grateful they were to live and work in a community that consistently takes care of its own. And that includes not only the individual donors, but also the many businesses — from Reebok to Shaw’s to Bank of Canton and many more — as well as the schools, churches, and civic organizations. Even the CHS class of 1992 recently pitched in, donating a shopping cart full of food that they collected during their 20th reunion last month.

Doody said if he had one request of the community, it would be that they continue to contribute to the helpline and food pantry after the holiday season and throughout the year.

“This is the time of year that donation volume is probably the heaviest,” he said. “It’s in June, July and August, when people aren’t normally thinking about it, where we could use more support.”

“We’re okay right now,” added Browne, “but I know in January we’ll be a little leaner. But overall, I’d say that people are very, very generous.”

Canton residents who are in need of assistance or who would like to volunteer can contact the helpline directly at 781-828-6666 or the food pantry at 781-821- 8062 or cantonfoodpantry@gmail.com. More information on both agencies is available at town.canton.ma.us/pantry or town.canton.ma.us/ helpline/helpline.html.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Dec 6 2012. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.