
Contributed
An image from last year’s effort.
The Derby Police Department’s Auxiliary Unit will hold its 4th Annual Holiday Food Drive to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Derby on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ShopRite located at 49 Pershing Drive in Derby.
At the “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event, Officers will accept non-perishable food donations to feed needy Derby families.
Help feed your neighbors in need while shopping for your own Thanksgiving meal at ShopRite of Derby. Your non-perishable food donations will stock the shelves of St. Vincent de Paul Society, which distributes food to elderly, homeless, working poor, physically handicapped and mentally challenged people of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. According to data compiled by the Valley United Way, 12% of Valley adults reported experiencing food insecurity. St. Vincent de Paul Society feeds five to eight families per day, totaling around 500 individuals per year.
Now for the fourth year, the all-volunteer Officers of Derby Police Department’s Auxiliary Unit will accept donations as customers leave the ShopRite store, stuffing Derby Police Cruisers and vans full of food for holiday meals and daily nutrition.
“Last year we collected food that totaled in value more than the previous two years combined. The community and local media outlets supported St. Vincent de Paul Society’s food bank in an unprecedented flood of donations,” explains Aux. Lt. Chris Pizzi. “The people of the Valley lift their neighbors up in times of joy, and in times of hardship. Donations from this annual drive have totaled over $81,000 from its inception in 2016 to 2018. Please continue this Thanksgiving tradition of donating to the food bank that serves your community.”
ABOUT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and Food Bank is dedicated to aiding the elderly, homeless, working poor, physically handicapped and mentally challenged people of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Food comes into the pantry through donations from individuals and businesses, membership to the CT Food Bank in Wallingford, and smart shopping at local stores. Food can be donated Monday – Saturday from 9:30 am ‑2:30 pm through the rear door of the building at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, Connecticut.