More Than $34,000 Worth Of Food Donated In Derby Police Effort

DERBY, CT — More than $34,000 worth of food was donated Sunday during the fifth annual Holiday Food Drive organized by the Derby Police Department's Auxiliary Unit, according to the department.

The food drive benefits the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Derby Thrift Shop and Food Bank, and includes officers volunteering in the "Stuff-A-Cruiser" event, which was held in the parking lot of BJ's Wholesale Club on Division Street.

The food bank, which is located on Roosevelt Drive in Derby, feeds five to eight families per day, or more than 500 individuals annually.

In the Naugatuck Valley region, about 12 percent of adults have experienced food insecurity, according to the Valley United Way.

"Over the years 2016-2019 we have stuffed our cruisers and large SUVs with a total of an estimated $100,000 worth of food," said Derby Aux. Lt. Chris Pizzi, who thanked BJ's and the donors. "This one day of giving greatly impacts St. Vincent de Paul's ability to provide food year-round to the food insecure. Our community suffered greatly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the public health crisis, we could not hold our annual food drive event last year."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.