Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year because of the pandemic, but thanks to local food drives, many families won’t go hungry this holiday.
The Williamsburg Police Department is doing its share to ensure local families get the Thanksgiving meal they deserve.
“Food insecurity, although a yearlong issue, has increased exponentially during COVID,” said Williamsburg Police spokesman Charles Ericsson.
“While eating too much is a worry that many of us have during Thanksgiving, we need to be mindful that there are people right here in Williamsburg who worry about where their next meal is going to come from; let alone a Thanksgiving meal,” he added.
In previous years, Williamsburg Police have supported food drives for other organizations, such as the House of Mercy and Salvation Army. This is the first year the department is organizing an independent food drive of their own.
The department will be assisting seniors living in the Blayton Building, operated by the Williamsburg Housing Authority. Ericsson said in years past, during the holidays, they have received assistance from various organizations, but due to COVID-19 that assistance is not available to them this year.
“Ideally, we would love to stuff our cruisers with enough food to provide to the Blayton Building seniors and have enough left over to also share with other Williamsburg Housing Authority residents,” Ericsson said.
The department will be collecting nonperishable foods at the Food Lion, 1234 Richmond Road, and Aldi, 1504 Richmond Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21. They will also accept cash donations which will be used to buy necessary food items.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
- Tuning in and speaking up: These local podcasts are keeping the conversations going
- Virtual learning: WJCC families can opt-out –– not into –– the virtual learning academy
- Meals to go: Area school divisions prepare to distribute extra food over the holiday weekend
- Sentara prepares for COVID-19 vaccine
