Food delivery from Torrington Savings Bank to the main food bank in Torrington.

The 7th annual Food For Your Neighbors drive is now underway through March 17, 2010, with 1,881 items collected to date. Last year 29,103 items were collected for FISH, Friendly Hands Food Bank and the Salvation Army in Torrington, the Salvation Army Winsted Service Center in Winsted, and Fishes & Loaves in Canaan. Items requested by the food banks include condiments, cereal, juice, peanut butter, tuna, soups, pasta and sauce, canned meats, stews, vegetables, crackers, jello, breakfast foods, macaroni & cheese, coffee and tea, but all kinds of non-perishable items are appreciated.  The Salvation Army in Winsted can also accept frozen items.

Drop-off locations include Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Canaan Child Care Center, Northwest Chamber of Commerce, CMHA’s Northwest Center for Family Service & Mental Health in Lakeville, LARC, Litchfield Bancorp, National Iron Bank, Northwest Community Bank, Harwinton’s Town Hall and Senior Center, Northwest Hills Credit Union, the Register Citizen, the Republican-American, Santoro’s Cleaners, The First National Bank of Litchfield, Torrington Area Health District, Torrington Muncipal & Teachers Federal Credit Union, all branches of Torrington Savings Bank, WQQQ, WZBG and all YMCA branches.

WQQQ, WZBG 97.3 FM , the Republican-American, and the Register Citizen will again offer print and radio coverage. Also, Santoro’s Cleaners of Torrington will be a corporate sponsor and promote the program to all of their home and corporate customers.

Food can be brought to the Salvation Army Winsted Service Unit, 110 Main St. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday, or the YMCA at Geer, 99 S. Canaan Road.  On February 1st a Food Depot will open in Torrington at the Register Citizen, rear Church Street entrance. Signs will direct people to the location.

Food For Your Neighbors began in 2004 as a Community Impact project under the leadership of then President Richard R. Lavieri, Esq. It was decided to conduct the food drive in February, because that is traditionally a slow time for food donations and most food pantry shelves are depleted after the holiday season until the next major food drive, conducted by the U.S. Postal Service in May.

Since that time, participating schools, businesses, and individuals have contributed 138,419 items of food over its 6-year history.

If you have any questions about the food drive, please call (860) 489-4131 or email unitedwaynwct@snet.net. We are looking for more participants during these dire economic times.