Trenton Police distribute 88 baskets of groceries
TRENTON >> The number has increased over the past five years.
The Trenton Police Department donated Thanksgiving baskets to 88 families this year, which is the highest number of families the program has helped since its return.
“We look forward to this opportunity to meet the families in need and provide them with the light and the hope they’re looking for,” Detective Walter Rivera said, adding that he enjoys reminding residents that they’re not alone in life. “We’re in this as a team.”
Every year since 2014, when TPD resurrected a program to provide city residents with holiday food baskets, the number of families helped by the effort has increased.
Civilian employees, uniformed officers and both Trenton Police unions collectively chipped in $2,400 to buy enough turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, desserts and other Thanksgiving dinner staples to feed the families, officials said.
All of the items were purchased from Food Bazaar Supermarket on South Clinton Avenue, according to officials who say the grocery provides a discount to aid police in helping as many city residents as possible.
“We reached out to nearly every person in the department and this came out of their personal pockets,” Detective Tamika Veal said. “We’re protecting and serving, but we’re also doing community service.”
Officials say it’s important for residents to see police doing positive things for the community, as opposed to only seeing cops when a crime has been committed. “We like the citizens to know that we’re here to help
in other ways,” Rivera said.
TPD also received help with identifying families in need and assembling the baskets from local residents and community associations.
“I love it when we work together,” Rivera said.