Stanley Police are out to put a stop to hunger this holiday season, returning with their annual Handcuff Hunger food donation drive.
Officer Andrew Holty was at Hansen’s IGA in Stanley Nov. 18, with non-perishable food donations accepted at both the police department and city hall during business hours, the department and city hall both located at 3523 South Broadway in Stanley.
“Physically they can bring in canned or non-perishable donations to the police department or city hall duding business hours,” Chief Lance Weiland related. “Monetary donations are accepted as well.” The department will deliver donations to the Stanley-Boyd Food Pantry after Christmas, its Handcuff Hunger initiative running through the end of the year.
The department shared more detail on the program and how people can help in a recent social media post.
“HELP HANDCUFF HUNGER
During the months of November and December, the Stanley Police Department will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items as part of our Help Handcuff Hunger food drive.
“Since 2018, we have been honored to help collect approximately 10,558 pounds of non-perishable food items that have directly benefited those within our community. Monetary donations have further assisted with the purchase of items such as hygiene products, toiletries, and cleaning supplies that were donated directly to the Stanley-Boyd Food Pantry. Helping keep our community’s pantry shelves stocked continues to be an important mission of the Stanley Police Department.
“Since 2018, we have also been blessed to be able to donate 212 holiday meals to local families. The meals are valued at $60.00 each and consist of enough food to adequately provide for a family of five. In years past, the meals typically consisted of ham/turkey, potatoes and gravy, salad, bread, cranberries, vegetables, desert, and a non-alcohol drink.
“As part of our Help Handcuff Hunger food drive, anyone who donates at least one non-perishable food item is eligible to nominate a local family they feel is deserving or in need of a free holiday meal. During the upcoming weeks of both Thanksgiving and Christmas, we draw names from those nominated to determine the beneficiaries. We then contact the winners and coordinate a time for police department staff to either drop off the meal at their residence or for them to pick up the meal at Hansen’s IGA, whichever is their preference. The number of holiday meal recipients will be based on the amount of support we receive.”
The department thanks those who have contributed through the years, with non-perishable food donations accepted now through the end of the year at the Stanley Police Department and city hall.