Printer Friendly Version - PD and Families Helping Families Seek to Restock Clinton Pantry

Clinton Police Officer David Cairns (and his daughter) and Police Chief Vincent DeMaio are erady for the Saturday, March 24 Stuff the Cruiser Food Drive the department is co-hosting with Families Helping Families. Photo courtesy of Miner Vincent

Residents looking to help their less fortunate neighbors put some food on the table will have the opportunity to replenish the Clinton Food Pantry stock at the Stuff the Cruiser Food Drive hosted by Families Helping Families (FHF) and The Clinton Police Department on Saturday, March 24 at the Clinton Stop & Shop.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 215 East Main Street, will feature multiple police cruisers to be filled with boxes of donated goods. Sheets with lists of the items the pantry needs will be posted at the pantry.

“The donations of food normally averages about 1,100 pounds and about $1,000,” said FHF President Miner Vincent.

The timing of such generosity is key, as FHF notes the last town-wide food drive was months ago, so the annual early spring drive helps to re-stock the shelves in the Clinton Food Pantry.

“The number of families using the Clinton Food Pantry on a weekly basis has increased from approximately 80 families three years ago [to] approximately 130 and the number has reached as high as 170,” Vincent said.

According to FHF, due to the increase of people relying on the pantry, outside organizations have had to assist with the pantry to ensure an adequate supply of food.

“FHF helps support the pantry by running two (Fresh Produce and Cans for Clinton) of its five community outreach programs in conjunction with the Clinton Food Pantry,” Vincent said. “These programs provide fresh fruits and vegetables and needed non-perishable items on a weekly basis. All collected dollars will go directly towards funding FHF programs which benefit Clinton families directly.”

In addition to proving help to those who need it, the event also serves as an opportunity for the Police Department to meet with the residents in a positive manner.

“Our involvement in these events is simple: There is a definitive need and we are able to help,” said Police Chief Vincent DeMaio.”I feel that it is also extremely important for the community to see how dedicated our officers are to truly caring for the welfare of all we serve. Policing in the modern world has evolved into far more than simply law enforcement.

“There is a real benefit to providing assistance to those in need—it helps improve the quality of life overall, here in Clinton and it helps our personnel get more positive interactions with the townspeople,” DeMaio continued. “It strengthens the bonds between our officers and the community at large, which results in a more connected and effective Police Department. Not to mention, it’s simply the right thing to do.”