The local C.A.R.E., Community Action Resources of Escalon, Center is likely to see an increase in business fairly soon.

The food pantry that serves residents of Escalon, Farmington and Collegeville with emergency food needs each week typically sees an uptick once school gets out for the summer, as those students who are able to utilize the free lunch program during the school year need a little extra help when school is not in session.

A volunteer crew helped out at C.A.R.E. during the Love Escalon day of service in late April, working to clean and organize the pantry, an effort that was appreciated by Director Sherrie Vaden.

“It’s wonderful that people come out and help,” Vaden said. “We need the volunteers to come in and do some of the heavy cleaning and stuff that we just can’t get to during the week because we’re busy handing out bags of food so it’s really important and it’s nice having the community come out and do this.”

Weekly supplemental food is offered each Wednesday at C.A.R.E. from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; open to residents in the Escalon Unified School District who need food and whose income meets the federal guidelines. One bag of food is provided for each household and families can come each week.

Currently, said C.A.R.E. officials, they are providing bags of food for about 110 to 120 households per week.

A special program for local seniors is provided twice a month. The Senior Brown Bag distribution is the second and fourth Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Those 60 years of age and older, who meet the income guidelines, can get a bag of food through that program.

The C.A.R.E. Center is an outreach of the Escalon Ministerial Association; many of the churches in the area host monthly collections to help stock the shelves at the local food pantry and other efforts throughout the year also provide needed goods. The pantry is at 1601 Second St., Escalon.

Those with questions can contact Vaden at C.A.R.E., 209-417-2048.