Food pantry welcomes new co-director

Cindy Poshkus is the new co-director of the Canton Food Pantry, taking over from Mary Ellen Hudner, who left the volunteer position last week after six years of service. Carolann Browne will continue as the other co-director.

Poshkus heard about the opening from her neighbor Maureen Harriman, who is the treasurer of the Canton Area Helpline. Poshkus began spending time at the pantry just before Thanksgiving and worked with both Hudner and Browne.

“I enjoy it,” she said of her new position. “It’s very rewarding.”

Her responsibilities include working with volunteers on Mondays to stock the shelves, keeping track of the inventory and calling the Greater Boston Food Bank every two to three weeks to order food. When those supplies arrive, the directors contact Canton High School career counselor Ed Amico, who sends students over to help unload the truck. The food pantry is located in the rear of the Rodman Building at 960 Washington Street.

Canton residents who are eligible for free food fill out paperwork prior to their first shopping visit and receive identification cards. They scan their cards each time they pick up food at the pantry.

“They do their own shopping,” Poshkus said. “It’s like a mini-supermarket.”

Senior citizens shop every other Tuesday from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., and all other clients shop during the same hours every other Wednesday. The pantry is open on the first Saturday of the month from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for working clients.

Poshkus is grateful to have worked with Hudner, if only for a short time. “She is just phenomenal,” Poshkus said. “She’s truly just such a wonderful person. She’s left some big shoes to fill.”

Hudner said that she has mixed feelings about stepping down as director. But she is thrilled that Poshkus will be working at the pantry, describing her as honest and compassionate.

“We’re dealing with a lot of people at the pantry,” she said. “We’re on the same page. I think she’s a lot like me.”

Poshkus is aware that the food pantry is filling a need in the town. “I think there are a lot more people in need than people realize,” she said. Hudner noted that in the last two weeks, more than 200 households received food and/or gift cards from the pantry.

The pantry is always in need of donations. Non-perishable food, personal care items, and household products may be left at the Bank of Canton, Canton Co-operative Bank, Canton Public Library, and Pratt Realtors.

Donations of food, including perishable items, may be dropped off at the pantry on Mondays only between 7 and 9 a.m. Checks should be mailed to the Canton Area Helpline, P.O. Box 202, Canton, MA 02021. Please write “Food” on the memo line.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Dec 29 2011. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.