The 42nd Annual Cheshire Food Drive Will Be Held November 7 - 8 on the Congregational Church Green

For forty-two years, Cheshire Food Drive, Inc. has helped feed thousands of Cheshire residents. Each November, the non-profit organization sponsors its annual two-day townwide Food Drive on the Congregational Church Green, collecting non-perishable food items for local food pantries and monetary donations to fund the Cheshire Food Voucher Program.

This year, the event will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 – from 9 am to
3 pm – across from the Town Hall on Route 10 at the Church Green. ““Our annual food drive involves the whole Cheshire community,” said co-chair Marlena Soble. “We have many volunteers, including students, scout troops, grandparents, young families and individuals who want to help their neighbors in need. Over the two days, it takes a lot of work to process the tens of thousands of donated food items but everyone who helps is happy to be part of this community weekend. We are always in need of volunteers to donate their time to help out on the Green.”

Suggested food items include: granola bars/snacks for school, cereal, flour/sugar/baking products, salt/pepper/spices, ketchup/mustard/mayonnaise, coffee/tea/cocoa, soups/stews, tomato products, juice boxes, cookies/crackers, raisins, shelf-stable milk, canned chicken/meat, rice/grains, potato/pasta mixes and salad dressings. All food items must be non-perishable and the date be current. Expired products cannot be accepted.

Since the 1980s, it has also collected monetary donations year-round to fund the town’s Food Voucher Program which is administered by the Cheshire Department of Social Services. “The vouchers let people buy food items that they want, such as fresh vegetables and dairy, or other items they might not be able to get at the food pantry or elsewhere,” said Soble. “The vouchers fill an important need for users and their families.”

To raise awareness of this program, Cheshire Food Drive, Inc. has updated its logo and invites the public to partner with us. Beginning in November, Cheshire Food Drive, Inc. will give away reusable shopping bags featuring the new logo, and those of local sponsors, to anyone who donates $5 or more toward the Food Voucher Program. These donations can be made in person at the Food Drive, or online

To lend your support by helping on the Green this year, make a donation, or for more information, please go to www.CheshireFoodDrive.org or visit Facebook.