They hand out food. They rip up boxes. They keep things organized. It takes a lot of volunteers to run the largest food pantry in St. Lawrence County. But recruits keep coming to Grace Food Pantry in Gouverneur.
“They come through and they see that everybody's happy and having fun and they kind of want to be part of it,” said Robert LaVeck, Christian Life Fellowship Church pastor.
They come from seven different churches. Peace is kept with a simple motto: No politics, no proselytizing, no gossip. But everyone's too busy for that anyway.
"The hearts we touch and the lives that we help provide for it's a really great experience. It's fun giving it back to the community,” said Kimmy Hutton, volunteer.
People come to Grace Food Pantry in Gouverneur from as far away as Edwards and Ogdensburg. The food sustains them. Money saved helps with the household budget.
But without donations, it can run out quick. More than 1,000 people come through the line every month. It's only open Thursday mornings.
“Everybody has a little bit of need. We get our share of elderly, young, middle aged. You know, everybody needs a little help in this time,” said Claudette Alvez, volunteer.
Donations are gladly accepted and not just food. Cash donations are needed to cover all kinds of expenses and the pantry is still praying for a generator.
