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Date: 11/27/2023
With the holiday season upon us, both the Belchertown and Ludlow Police Departments are hosting their annual food and toy drive to help those families who need it.
Belchertown
Belchertown Police Department will host its annual ‘Stuff a Cruiser” toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Belchertown Police Department, 70 State St.
Belchertown Police Chief Kevin Pacunas added, “We have been running a toy drive for about 15 years. It started out as a ‘stuff a cruiser’ event. Our goal or objective these days is to fill up our community room.”
The department is asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys for children ages 6-14.
Suggested items include Legos, board games, arts and crafts supplies, sports equipment, sleds, and educational toys. Hats, mittens/gloves and scarves are also being accepted.
All donations go to local children and families, mostly those residing in Belchertown.
According to Pacunas, the department works with local partners to help identify low income families to match with age appropriate gifts.
“We enjoy helping the less fortunate and collaborating with the community. Being part of a toy drive allows us to make a difference in the lives of others, especially during special occasions like holidays,” Pacunas said, “It feels really good to be able to give back. Knowing that these contributions will bring joy and happiness to a child who may not have the means to receive gifts otherwise is a great feeling.”
Ludlow
The Ludlow Police Department will host its annual Christmas Food Drive on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ludlow Police Chief Daniel Valadas said, “We hope the community comes out. It has been well received in the past and popular not only with my staff but will all the public that comes in and hands off their items. Especially around the holidays it has been enriching.”
Valadas said the Christmas Food Drive first start in 2020 when he was first appointed to police chief.
After partnering with a food pantry in Springfield the last few years, the department has decided that all this year’s donations will go to the local veterans pantry.
“We are looking for most nonperishables,” Valadas said, “The Veterans Center does have a refrigerator and, being that it’s cold, people can drop off fresh food if they wish but we stay away from quickly perishable food items as much as possible.”
The drop-off location will be in the front parking lot of the Police Department.
Valadas added, “We wanted to do increase some community related events that could benefit nonprofits in the community. We wanted to do a holiday food drive after Thanksgiving to focus on food insecurity for Christmas and New Year’s.”’