Officers and students team up to help feed hungry families

ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP - East Liverpool High School Public Safety Services students recently teamed up with officers from the St. Clair Township Police Department at Giant Eagle to help feed local hungry families.

The students and officers spent four hours collecting food, paper products and monetary donations to help F.I.S.H. of East Liverpool feed families in need during the holiday season.

Herman Potts, administrator with the police department, said the $1,782.65 they raised was presented to the organization on Monday and they were ecstatic to get it because they can double and sometimes triple the amount of food they are able to purchase through Second Harvest Food Bank, where every $1 spent at a grocery could purchase $3 in groceries through them.

Potts said the turnout and the amount of donations in both food and money was amazing, especially considering the current economy. He said they were excited and very happy to raise that much.

He also noted that one local family shows up to donate every year and this year donated three whole frozen turkeys and $80.

St. Clair Township police officers will also be kicking off their coats and toys drive for the Elks after Thanksgiving. While they officially start collecting after Thanksgiving, new coats and new unwrapped toys can be dropped off a the police station anytime. There will be donation boxes at several local businesses, with the locations being released as soon as final confirmation is received from the businesses.

The officers will also be at Walmart holding a toy drive on Dec. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m.