The Chester County History Center is planning a food drive for both families and pets in November. As they said in a press release, they’re “stepping out of the past to address a current situation. The center is asking people to make a donation to the food drive to benefit the Chester County Food Bank and the Animal House Project.
According to the center’s Development Manager, Diana Batchelor, “We saw a need in our community and we’re in a position where we can help,” she said in a brief telephone interview. “We can rally the community together and help those in need. I think it’s a responsibility we have to help our neighbors.”
The move to help with food for pets came about almost as an afterthought, Batchelor said, when one of her co-workers brought it up. Batchelor said some people are in a predicament, wondering how to feed themselves and their pets. “So, we figured, why not ask for pet donations. The donation to the Animal House Project will help families feed their pets, too.”
She added, “There is something that’s needed in our community. There’s a need to tackle food insecurity.”
The food drive starts next Wednesday, Nov. 5, and runs through Nov. 25. Donations will be accepted in the Chester County History Center’s main lobby during regular business hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
What the center is looking for are nutritious non-perishable items such as canned or pouched chicken or tuna, pasta, canned ready-to-eat meals such as beef ravioli or chili, breakfast bars, cereal, pasta sauce, canned soup or stews, fruit (in juice) canned and individual cups, healthy snacks like popcorn, crackers, peanut butter, etc.
Nonfood items, such as personal hygiene items (deodorant and toothpaste), feminine hygiene products, diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, and paper plates and cups.
For the pets, donations can include wet or dry dog and cat food, treats, or food for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets.
The drop-off location is Chester County History Center, 225 N. High Street, West Chester.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
