NORTH READING — The North Reading Republican Town Committee is hosting its annual Food Drive in support of the North Reading Food Pantry, located at 150 Haverhill St., on Saturday, May 3 from 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
NRRTC members will be on-site at the Food Pantry to accept the generous donations from the community. Parking is available in the adjacent to the Union Congregational Church.
The Food Drive is being held in conjunction with the annual Townwide Yard Sale sponsored by the Friends of the North Reading Council on Aging and the event is noted on FONRCOA’s Townwide Yard Sale map.
URGENTLY NEEDED ITEMS: Hearty Soups-Progresso, Chunky, etc. Side dish products—noodles or rice-i.e. Near East, Rice-a-Roni, Knorr’s, boxed mac & cheese, Family-sized snacks: pretzels, chips, cookies, popcorn, etc. Cereal: all kinds
MOST NEEDED FOOD ITEMS: Hearty stews/chowders; chili; hot chocolate; instant oatmeal; spaghetti sauce (jar); salad dressing, vegetable oil; kids’ school snacks (granola bars, fruit cups, Cheez-its, etc.); coffee, white tuna, condiments, cake mixes and frosting, brownie and cookie mixes, sugar.
OTHER NEEDED ITEMS: Health and beauty aids; deodorant; shampoo and canditioners, disposable razors and shaving cream; laundry products; sanitary products.
WE CAN ACCEPT: Shelf-stable products, including dairy and juices that have a usable shelf life per the manufacturer; excess inventory from promotions, seasonal merchandise and national or private-label products; and excess packaged food products from tradeshows.
WE CANNOT ACCEPT: Food that is past the expiration date on the product; packaged perishable and frozen foods; unlabeled products or products removed from original packaging; damaged products; re-packaged or opened products; prepared food exposed to public self-service; thawed products; food containing alcohol.
For additional information about the North Reading Food Pantry, go to their website: nrfoodpantry.org.