Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Ironwood Public Safety Department Sgt. Matt Sterbenz picks up a box of non-perishable food donations for area food banks, which was left at the curb in front of a home in Ironwood on Tuesday afternoon.
By CHARITY SMITH
The Ironwood Public Safety Department teamed up with the Hurley Police Department Tuesday to pick up food donations from residents for area food banks, which have seen a heightened need as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We really wanted to encourage people to stay home and not travel to the food bank to make a donation," said Andrew DiGiorgio, director of Ironwood Public Safety, who organized the effort.
Ironwood Public Safety picked up 14 boxes of food donations on Tuesday and Hurley PD picked up five.
"It doesn't matter if it is one or it is 50, we'll happily do it," said Hurley Police Chief Chris Colassaco.
Pickups were scheduled in advance and donations were left in boxes or bags outside the home, on the porch or near the curb, so that there was no direct contact between the officers and the residents.
"It is a good feeling to be able to help those who need it," said IPSD Sgt. Matt Sterbenz. "We're just trying to make sure that we are there for the community as much as possible."
According to DiGiorgio they have also seen a rise in monetary donations to local food pantries and charitable organizations since they started this project.
"People have mailed checks to one of the food pantries or to an agency that takes donations, so it has kinda promoted that thought process to donate to the various churches that are helping support people during this time," DiGiorgio said.
Officers will pick up food donations again on Friday, from 1 to 3 p.m. To schedule a pick-up, call IPSD at 906-932-1234 or HPD at 715-561-2345.
