If you want to help the Bradford community confront the coronavirus, you’ve been asked to help “Fill A Truck” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at each of Bradford’s four grocery stores.
The drive, being organized by Helping Bradford, PA During the Corona Virus Facebook page, hopes to have shoppers drop off specific items now being collected to help people affected by the virus either directly indirectly:
Suggested food items include: rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, snack packs, canned vegetables, canned meat (chicken and tuna), flour, sugar, powdered mix drinks, shelf stable juice, jello mixed, boxed meals, peanut butter, and jelly; and small packs of economy meals that can be frozen;
Also: hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes; baby food, formula, diapers and baby wipes; feminine hygiene products, adults diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant, Chlorine bleach wipes, and assorted cleaning products.
The food drive will also accept pet items such as dog and cat food, treats and kitty litter.
Others items are also welcome but need to be non-perishable. People are not required to purchase items from the store, and are welcome to drop them off in one of the pickup trucks.
Each pickup truck will be clearly marked with “Fill A Truck” signs and an individual will be standing by to assist you, if necessary. The food drive was set up utilizing trucks so individuals can make donations without unnecessary contact.
Leading the effort to “fill the trucks” are volunteers from the Bradford Area Lions Club.
The food drive was organized by the Facebook group which was developed to help people of the Bradford area hurt by the coronavirus and the closing of schools, businesses and factories across the region.
This organization is acting in conjunction with many established groups — the Friendship Table, the Blaisdell Foundation, YWCA, Destinations, Meals on Wheels, and others.
Collecting the food is in anticipation of an exponential growth of the virus and subsequent sickness which may result in Bradford area residents being unable to receive food and sanitary items for various reasons.
Arrangements would be made to distribute the items or for possible delivery depending on how events of the next few weeks unfold.
If no need for the supplies develops, they will be given to local food banks after the crisis has passed.
Meanwhile, people are invited to join the Facebook group to learn about and contribute to the vast array of activities already under way in Bradford. Included on the site is a place for volunteers to sign up.
Monetary donations are being directed to organizations already working to help the community in this time of need.
In addition, a hotline number — 366-5901 — has been established for people to leave messages which will be handled by volunteers from the group.
