Bay City Tribune

Bay City Police Officers will put their motto - do the right thing - to work in a special way as they once again join forces with Bay City's First United Methodist Church and Boy Scout Troop 219 of Van Vleck to serve a targeted 500 families with a Christmas meal from the 2009 Matagorda County Holiday Food Drive.

Officers will be taking applications from families or individuals wanting to receive food boxes beginning on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bay City Service Center and on Friday, Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. under a tent in the H-E-B parking lot.

The holiday food drive begins on Thanksgiving Day at the Bay City Civic Center when anyone is invited to a free hot Thanksgiving meal prepared and served by the members of Bay City's First United Methodist Church.

While the meal is served, Bay City Police officers will be on hand to take applications to receive a box of food at Christmas.

On Friday, Dec. 4, officers will also be available to take applications all day n the HEB parking lot.

Capt. Christella Rodriquez, of the Bay City Police Department, said each family will be required to show some form of identification when they apply to receive a food box.

Each box will contain one frozen turkey, staple food items and a variety of canned and dried goods.

In the past, the Matagorda County Holiday Food Drive has helped to feed as many as 545 families in one year.

"Last year we gave about 350 boxes," said Rodriguez.

"But each year we aim to be able to fill at least 500 boxes. Especially with the economy the way it is now, we expect there may be more families in need this year."

While recipients are required to fill out an application, the volunteers will strive to meet every need, she said.

Tax-deductible cash donations can be made by contacting Rose Beavers at 979-245-3842, Rodriguez at 979-323-1753, George Durett at 979-245-6675 or Raymond Garza-Trevino at 979-429-6233.

Food donations can be made at any campus in the Van Vleck or Bay City school districts or by dropping it off at the tent in the H-E-B parking lot from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4.

"Many police officers and community volunteers have seen what a difference this effort makes in people's lives, and we want to continue to carry that vision into the future," said Rodriquez.