NEWS: Annual Thanks For Giving Food Drive Helps Those In Need
By Molly Mercaldo – Entertainment Editor
The 13th annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive is taking place from November 10-12 at Wasson Field in Milford to collect food for over 250 local families.
This fundraiser is hosted by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with the help of Cub Scouts, and the Jonathan Law Key Club, National Honor Society, and Keyettes who collect and sort non-perishable foods and frozen turkeys.
“We appreciate all the past support from Key Club and National Honor Society and look forward to getting help again from the Lawmazing community,” event chairman Thomas Mercaldo said.
This tradition of giving back was started in 2004. A scout and his father decided that they needed to help out those in need especially because of the upcoming holidays.
“I think the food drive is a great way to have fun while helping the local community” senior Emma Caserta said.
In 2016, the drive collected 3,800 cans of vegetables, delivered 315 baskets of food, and received over $4,000 in cash donations. Since 2004, the turkey count as more than tripled.
“I think the turkey count is great because it allows the public to see the progress and feel motivated to get involved,” junior Tyler Goodwin said.
The volunteers help to distribute individually made meals to over 250 families in Milford and surrounding towns, as well as local food banks. Businesses that are collecting food for donations include Aquinas Consulting, People’s Bank, Milford Town Hall, and Give a Dog a Bath.
“I volunteer at the food drive because I want to give back to my community and knowing the work I’m doing makes a difference,” senior and Eagle Scout Ryan Lapadula said.
Although the food drive is mainly for food, the volunteers will also take miscellaneous items like clothes or toys that can be given to families.
“The food drive has a friendly atmosphere where everyone is working hard to help out” senior volunteer and former Girl Scout Priya Gupta.
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For more information on the food drive, please visit thanks4giving on Facebook or follow @thanks4givingfood on Twitter.
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