Community Challenge to Fill Carthage Pantry Shelves - WWNY TV 7

Community Challenge to Fill Carthage Pantry Shelves - WWNY TV 7

Baked goods are perfect for a midday treat. In Carthage, they're playing a small part in a larger goal for the V.E.M. Food Pantry in Carthage. It's the annual Community Challenge to help fill the pantry shelves.

"Without the help of the community, we are not able to help others," says volunteer Angela Sixberry.

Carthage resident Harold Dawes says, "I believe people should give whenever they can and I have a lot of friends who love sweets, so this bag is for them."

Along with a bake sale at a downtown bank, other local businesses will hold food drives, and volunteers are handing out orange “Bags of Hope.” People can fill those bags with donations and bring them to the pantry.

The food pantry is hoping to raise $25,000 in cash, food, and non-food donations by the end of April.

On average, V.E.M. helps 600 people every month. And last year, it gave out enough food for nearly 10,000 meals.