Arlington PD, Catholic Parishes Hosting Faith & Blue Food Drive

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Police Department and Catholic Parishes of Arlington have announced that they are co-hosting a food drive next month.

The Faith & Blue Food Drive is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 6 at St. Agnes Parish, located at 32 Medford St. in Arlington. All non-perishable food items and other products collected from the drive will go directly to Arlington EATS, a nonprofit that helps to ensure there is food for all Arlington residents.

The food drive, which is part of National Faith & Blue weekend, will take place ahead of a 5:30 p.m. Mass Service.

Organizers note that people do not need to be a member of Arlington Parish nor must they attend the service in order to donate to the food drive.

A list of accepted items for the drive is available on the Arlington EATS website. The organization also has an Amazon Wish List.

In September, the organization has been asking for items like laundry soap, baked beans, almond butter and gluten-free cereals and snacks. Other items that are "always helpful" include: shelf-stable soup, personal care items — like shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush — diapers and clean grocery-sized paper or reusable bags with handles.

Arlington EATS said participants should not donate soda, sports drinks, medications, bed pads, adult incontinence products, expired items and jumbo or single-serving sizes.

Arlington EATS also said it's possible for members of the community to simply donate money to the organization.

National Faith & Blue Weekend is part of a larger Faith & Blue initiative that aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies.