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Food Bank Expanding in Columbia County

ORANGE TOWNSHIP — The John Buck Memorial Food Bank currently shares space with the Orange Township Municipal Building on Route 487. The food bank doesn...

ORANGE TOWNSHIP -- The John Buck Memorial Food Bank currently shares space with the Orange Township Municipal Building on Route 487. The food bank doesn't have much room.

"Storage space especially," Joan Claybourn said.

The food bank currently serves around 60 families in the Orangeville area. But thanks to a community development block grant from Columbia County, the food bank is expanding.

The $64,000 grant is being used to build an addition onto the municipal building so the food bank can have its own space. People who rely on the food bank say the grant is a blessing.

"Because I'm on such a limited income, I can't get what they like for lunch. That helps me and it helps me with cereals in the morning," Gena Andress said.

In addition to the larger space, the food pantry will also feature a walk-in freezer which will allow them to store fresh fruit and vegetables.

"Went to the store last week and apples were $3.99 a pound. That's $4 that I don't have sitting aside," Andress said.

"Also counter tops. So if we get a large amount of chicken we can reduce the packages to more family friendly sizes," Claybourn said.

Volunteer Joan Claybourn says the grant money will also allow the John Buck Memorial Food Bank near Orangeville to buy more food. It is open on the third Saturday of each month and construction is expected to be finished by the end of this month.

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