Mary Ellen Hudner has been working at the Canton Food Pantry for five years and already has a lifetime of stories to tell. “People are hurting in Canton,” said Hudner, who runs the food pantry with co-director Carolann Browne and the help of about 25 volunteers. “Times are tough and they’re getting tougher.” Hudner said the food pantry is always in need of donations of food, diapers, laundry detergent, personal care items (toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap), and other things that cannot be purchased with food stamps. The Canton Food Pantry is located at the back of the Rodman Building of the …

After relocating its Divisional Headquarters to Canton last year, The Salvation Army is focusing its efforts on expanding its volunteer base at its administrative offices. The headquarters at 25 Shawmut Road serves as a resource center for The Salvation Army’s 34 Corps and 210 Service Units throughout the state, and volunteers are needed to help departments (including finance, community relations, social services, information technology, youth programs, and Emergency Disaster Services) with daily administrative tasks. “Volunteers make the programs and services of The Salvation Army possible …

Barbara Penders is the longest-serving volunteer at the Canton Animal Shelter and a key to its success, according to Animal Control Officer Paul Bastable. "She's my neat freak," said Bastable.  "She goes around the whole place cleaning and straightening…I don't know what I would do without her."  Penders has been with the Richard A. Stein Animal Shelter in Canton since 2003.  "We clean the cages, we do the laundry, I make sure all the stock is full, and that we have (to stock) hand towels and toilet paper," said Penders, who volunteers two days a week.  "I (enjoy) playing with the animals and…

Reebok has done a lot for the town of Canton and the company's recent $10,000 donation to the Canton Food Pantry shows the company is invested in its community, according to town officials. "Reebok has always been a great, great neighbor," Selectman John Connolly said.  "They came down and said 'What can we do?' and they made this donation." Connolly was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen when Reebok came to town 10 years ago. "Did we give them some tax breaks?  Yes, but you have to spend money to make money…and Reebok has done a lot for Canton," Connolly said.  "They give time after time …

With the help of a recent $10,000 donation from Canton-based sports giant Reebok, the town's Food Pantry will be able to assist families in need for the next three to four months.  "We go through a ton of food and the need has just grown, and that surprises a lot of people in a town like Canton," said Debbie Kreusch, President of the Canton Area Helpline which oversees the food pantry.  The Helpline also helps residents with transportation and utility costs.  "This is absolutely fabulous; it's just an unbelievable gift." The Canton Food Pantry is located at the back of the Rodman …

The holidays bring out the best in people. Thankfully, many often  increase their donations to their local food pantry.  The clients of the Canton Food Pantry will reap those benefits this weekend when the food pantry doles out 180 Thanksgiving dinners from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Canton High School cafeteria. Volunteers are welcome, and donations of cranberry sauce, stuffing, juice and fresh-baked pies are still being accepted for Thanksgiving.  "Last year, we gave out 161 complete dinners in an hour and a half," said Mary Ellen Hudner, who runs the food pantry with co-director …