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Patterson Food Pantry Desperate For Volunteers After Desertion

PATTERSON (CBS13) — It's a big problem for a small town, as the food pantry in Patterson is desperate for volunteers to keep the doors open.

Paula Medina is one of the handful of remaining volunteers at Westside Food Pantry.

"Everybody here is trying to step it up," she said. "We are taking extra tasks."

A recent injury left the head volunteer seriously injured, and some aren't showing up to serve the hundreds of hungry families.

Wayne Holcomb has volunteered for more than a decade, but at 80 years old, he's limited on what he can physically do to keep the pantry stocked and running.

"I can't swing up a 50-pound box of chicken," he said. "It takes somebody a little younger than I am."

The pantry gives out food a few hours on Thursdays. Even though they are short-handed, volunteers refuse to close because the need is clear.

Volunteers hope to find people willing to give a few hours once or twice a month. They're also asking for donations for food, children's books and office furniture.

"All I can offer you is a lot of hard work, but it can be fulfilling, too, to know you are helping someone who needs food," Holcomb said.

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