A release from the Reading Police Department:
READING -- The Reading Police Department donated more than $2,500 to the Reading Food Pantry through its inaugural Don't Shave December charitable effort according to Chief Mark Segalla.
Due to overwhelming interest by officers, the Reading Police Department extended its No Shave November campaign for the first time by raising $2,520 for the Reading Food Pantry during Don't Shave December. Selectman Barry Berman also contributed to the effort.
During December, 25 officers donated $100 in exchange for permission to grow a beard through the end of 2018.
"Our officers made it clear that they were committed to continuing to wear beards to raise money and awareness for a meaningful cause," Deputy Chief David Clark said. "Chief Segalla and I were happy to extend this effort, which was extremely special for us to be able to give back to our own community."
The Reading Food Pantry is open Monday's from 7-8 p.m. and Fridays from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and clients may visit twice a month to collect fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and packaged goods and toiletries, as well as fresh meat and fish that is largely provided by the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Clients also have the opportunity to receive a gift card once a month to help purchase milk, bread and other items not stocked at the pantry. The Reading Food Pantry currently serves 110 households, including a large number of seniors and children. The food pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers -- the youngest of whom is three years old -- and provides an opportunity for students to earn service hours through volunteerism.
"I'm so grateful for the support of so many members of the Reading Police Department," said Reading Food Pantry Coordinator Phyllis Maxwell. "This money will have a tremendous impact on our ability to buy perishable food items for our clients, which can't be donated and stored like some of our other items."
Left to right: Officer Patrick Dawley, School Resource Officer Brian Lewis, Reading Food Pantry Coordinator Phyllis Maxwell, Deputy Chief David J. Clark, Safety Officer Michael Scouten, Lt. Detective Richard P. Abate and Detective Michael Muolo. (Courtesy Photo)
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