The Colonial Ridge community in New Hanover gathered 1,571 pounds of groceries and $300 for the Boyertown Multi-Service food bank.
“We were so pleased with the amount of generosity our neighbors have shown, especially with the fact that everything is costing more these days. Despite the higher costs of food, they really come through,” one of the food drive organizers, Evelyn Liptak, a resident of Colonial Ridge, said in a statement. “It is amazing to have people come to our doors days before with groceries and generous hearts.”
Along with the food drive, a penny collection that amounts to about $100 collected benefits a charity of their choice. This year, the penny drive benefits New Hanover Fire Company.
“Some even from outside the neighborhood spotted our signs. We could not have this drive be the success it is without their wonderful generous spirit and hearts. Colonial Ridge neighbors are the very best!” said Liptak.
This neighborhood collection has been held every year for the past 29 years.
“This food drive was started approximately 29 years ago by a woman in our neighborhood named Carol Royce. She felt that our neighbors and herself had been very blessed and she was looking for a way to give back to the community,” said Liptak.
When Liptak moved into the neighborhood in 1996, Royce was organizing the food drive all by herself, in a little car. There were about 70 homes.
“I had a van and two willing children. The rest is history,” said Liptak. “The drive has grown as the development grew and we now service 150 homes.”
Royce has since moved out, but with the help of Nicole and Bob Arnold with their children Caden and Makeanna, Mark and Cheryl Goodwin, Mary Anstett and Liptak, they have kept the food drive going.
“This year more than ever before the Multi-Service of Boyertown needs the help,” said Liptak. “These people in our community so need the help. Times are tight for many families and we just wanted to help stock the Multi-Services shelves to help them.”
Liptak encourages others to organize a neighborhood food drive.
“If anyone wants to start a food drive and has questions, please call your local food bank and I know they will guide you through the process,” she said. “All it takes is some paper for a flyer, a call to their local food bank to find out the best time when they need the help and what they need, and some foot power.”
The Colonial Ridge neighborhood food drive organizers placed flyers out two weeks before the collection date as well as signs around the neighborhood.
“God Bless the neighbors; they do the important part, the giving,” said Liptak. “I cannot tell you how good it makes you feel to know you helped to make a difference in someone else’s life.”