Charity in a crunch

The graying populations of upstate New York and Cayuga County have created a double challenge for the Community Caring Center.

The local food pantry is facing not just an increase in the elderly who need extra help, but an aging pool of volunteers. The operation runs on an all volunteer basis, and "none of us are getting younger," said coordinator Nancy Murphy. One of the biggest challenges the center faces is attracting volunteers.

Many of their volunteers are at an age where you would expect them to need help themselves, rather than be giving it to others.