First Responders and Riesbeck’s team up for canned food drive

NEW CONCORD, Ohio- First Responders are known for helping those in need, in fact, that’s what their job is all about. But sometimes they go above and beyond the call of duty to help the communities they serve.

That’s what’s happening in New Concord this weekend. The New Concord Police Department and the Cambridge Division of the State Highway Patrol are teaming up with Riesbeck’s to collect cans of food for local families in need. New Concord Police Sergeant Jeff Dawson said the process is quick and easy for those who want to donate.

“Customers can come in and purchase canned food. They have them already pre-made in open bags. They’re $5 and $10 bags. Make it real convenient and easy,” said Dawson. “There’s a list of everything on them. And you pick them up, scan them at the checkout, and come out and bring them to us.”

This is the third year for the event. Last year they collected three thousand pounds of food. This year they’re hoping to do even more. All of the food will stay in the community benefiting the food pantry at College Drive Presbyterian Church.

“We work with the College Drive Presbyterian Church and they, they’re actually hurting pretty hard this year for food and stuff. So being that we’re able to help them get this food out, they have a pick up every Wednesday,” Dawson said. “Local families can come by and get food and you see these people day in and day out and sometimes they have a lot of food sometimes they don’t. These families some of them will go kind of hungry.”

The canned food drive will take place Sunday, December 10th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Riesbeck’s on Main Street in New Concord. If you aren’t able to make it out on Sunday you can drop non perishable food off at the New Concord Police Department or the State Highway Patrol Cambridge Division and they will get the food to the church.