Clinton Community Collects Food for The Country Pantry—And More!

The Clinton Area Ministerium is conducting the 10th annual COMMUNITY COLLECTION DAY on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, from 9am-12pm on the Clinton Village Green.

People are asked to bring non-perishable food items or donations for The Country Pantry in Clark Mills to help fill the gap in the upcoming summer for children and families when school is out as the need is greater than ever. People can drive through Clinton’s Park Row by the village green and drop off their items without leaving their vehicles!

In exchange for the donations people can drop off items for recycling:

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ELECTRONICS, such as TVs, DVRs, monitors to be taken by Clinton United Methodist Church volunteers for recycling

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BOOKS & JEWELRY for the Kirkland Town Library and their annual book sale and annual fundraiser

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BOTTLES & CANS for recycling to support The Country Pantry

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HEARING AIDS & EYEGLASSES for the Lions Club to be cleaned, repaired and distributed to those in need

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USED SOCKS for the Clinton High School LEAP environmental club

In addition, there will be a:

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BAKE SALE with sinfully good treats for sale in front of Stone Church with proceeds going to The Country Pantry

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TRASH PICK-UP around the village by youth volunteers

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LIVE MUSIC in the gazebo by Becky and Aaron Willsey

The event is sponsored by the Clinton Area Ministerium, a group of local pastors who plan and carry out a number of joint ecumenical and community-oriented activities.

In 2016 the Ministerium looked at needs in the community. Mary Zimbler, director of the Country Pantry in Clark Mills, said the need for food is even greater in the summer and suggested a springtime food drive. As an enticement for people to bring food, the Ministerium and their parishes decided to offer up services such as collecting electronics for recycling. Over the years the participants in the event have grown, including having area businesses participate, so that it has become a true community collection event.

Scott Leonard, event coordinator and Stone Church pastor, says, “Last year we collected 373 items and over $2800 cash! This year the group hopes to raise at least that much as the number of families in need continues to grow.”

The Country Pantry served 879 families in March 2025. We are currently receiving two food deliveries from the Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse each month. In cold weather months, we are serving families out of the parish hall at Church of the Annunciation, drive-by style. Currently they are seeking summer food items, kid-friendly nutritious snacks, as well as canned protein (tuna, chicken) and pasta sauce/pasta

CONTACT: Scott Leonard, 315-723-7420, srleonard@roadrunner.com, for more information