THP collects canned goods
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Highway Patrol collected food Thursday and Friday for needy families.
“So many of us don’t realize that there are children that are hungry,” Lt. Brad Wilbanks said.
Piles of food sit at the THP office on Vann Drive in north Jackson. Troopers across the state collected canned goods. “Most of us remember to be charitable around the Christmas holidays, but children are hungry year round,” Wilbanks said.
Wilbanks said they are working with Second Harvest, a food bank, that will distribute donations throughout West Tennessee. “It gets redistributed back in our communities, so we’re actually helping the people that we know and work with,” he said.
The THP said other organizations like the Madison County Fire Department also decided to pitch in. “Our people enjoy giving back,” Madison County Fire Chief Eric Turner said. “It’s just another way for them to do that.”
The Madison County Fire Department said it asked its nearly 200 volunteers to donate. Turner said they will pick up food from each of the county’s 17 fire stations Friday. “We all work as a team any chance we get in whatever we’re trying to do,” he said.
Wilbanks said they are working to fill up a pick-up truck with donations. “I was shocked yesterday of course people are coming in you know wanting to give diapers and those type things as well,” he said.
Wilbanks estimated their district collected about 800 items last year.
Troopers said the food drive supports the THP Youth and Trooper Junior Academy. Middle and high school students learn about law enforcement and participate in a community project.
