Annual food drive to collect for San Benito Pantry

SAN BENITO — The holidays are the time for people to come together and pay it forward.

The police and fire departments are coming together for just that.

The San Benito Police Department and the San Benito Fire Department will be at Wal-Mart today collecting items for the annual food drive until late afternoon.

Today will be the third and final day the departments will be at the Wal-Mart in San Benito.

Both departments will stay until late afternoon to collect items to benefit the San Benito Food Pantry.

According to San Benito Police Chief Michael Galvan, both departments have come together for the past couple of years to work toward making San Benito a little less hungry.

“Holidays are tough for everybody,” Galvan said.

A representative for the San Benito Food Pantry said the holidays are especially hard for them when it comes to having enough meals and funds to feed everyone in need.

According to Forest Walker, president of the pantry, their organization helps 3,500 to 4,000 residents each month.

Wal-Mart has been helpful in the departments’ endeavor to collect food.

Galvan said manager Jessie Leal has been good to both departments in helping with their cause and providing a space for them to collect food.

“We are trying to get more food stocked up for the holidays,” Galvan said.

Galvan said the departments are looking to collect dry foods and canned goods.

They have received hams and turkeys for the holiday but mostly, the department is looking for items that can be stored in the pantry.

Due to limited space in freezers and fridges, they are discouraging frozen foods from being donated.

Galvan said they haven’t turned anything away, but it just comes down to preference.

“We are making sure everyone is covered,” Galvan said.

Those looking to donate and have missed the donation days can take their items directly to the food pantry.