By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Public Library recently opened a Canned Food Exchange shelf in their front entryway. The concept is akin to a food bank outpost location where those who have canned food to share are able to leave them on the shelf and those who are in need of the canned goods are able to take some.

“When there was a lot of talk about potential cuts to different services, we were just trying to brainstorm how we could help in case there was someone in need,” said Library Director Julie Adams. “This is not going to be something that fixes a situation, but it might help somebody through a rough time.”

The food exchange shelf, which was installed in November, is intended to help with food insecurity in NY Mills and help to provide for the neighbor you might not know is struggling. The policy is to take what you need with no questions asked.

“First and foremost, we want everyone to take what they need from the shelf,” said the Library’s Facebook post. “Please help us spread the word to people who may benefit from this food access. If you are in a position to be able to share, please drop off canned food.”

The Friends of the Library organization purchased the shelf and its members helped fill it at the very beginning in order to get the food exchange going, but community members have been very helpful since that time in keeping is stocked.

“A lot of people have been contributing to it to help us fill the shelf,” said Adams. “We have also been noticing there have been some gone, so there has been some use too.”

Only canned foods will be accepted to the exchange and may not be dented or expired. The original label should be intact. Those interested in sharing or in taking a few items, please visit the NY Mills Public Library’s front entryway.

“It’s not going to be at the level of the Food Shelf, but it might help somebody out between the Food Shelf days,” said Adams. “A very good supplement.”