Another good deed in Tiverton!

TIVERTON —

Even in a town like Tiverton, which has more wealth than most, there are people in need.

No one sees that more than the police.

So officers acted to ease that need this week — continuing an effort that began a generation ago, police say.

Police delivered $2,000 in groceries to the Tiverton Food Pantry on Wednesday, and sent a $1,000 check to Mike’s Oil for five deliveries of $200 in oil to five families in the city.

“We’ve been doing this every year for years,” said Police Lt. James Costa. “I’ve been involved for 19 or 20 years, but our union  had been doing it for years before that.”

The International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 406 — the local representing Tiverton officers — holds fundraisers through the year.
The money the officers raised is given back to local organizations, including sports leagues.

“The money we raise is local, so we try to keep our donations local,” Costa said. “We used to give out gift baskets, but we stopped that because we don’t want to cause anyone embarrassment.

“We try to do this as quietly as possible now. We know where the need is and we try to address it.”

The oil donations are made on recommendations from police officers and from Mike’s Oil, 35 Grandview Ave.

At Thanksgiving and then again just before Christmas, officers loaded up two department SUVs with groceries bought at Stop & Shop in Fall River and deliver them to the Tiverton Food Pantry, 1048 Stafford Road.

“The help goes a long way when we do it like this,” Costa said. “We get help to more families by working with the food pantry.”

The food pantry is operated by the East Bay Community Action Program. It has locations in East Providence, Newport and Tiverton. The Tiverton office is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The number is 401-625-5134.

“We urge anyone who wants to donate to donate to the food pantry,” Costa said. “Our donations will get them through the early winter, but the need is constant and they are constantly in need of donations.”

The police officers will continue their part, Costa said.

“The union takes a lot of pride in this,” he said. “Every member has supported this effort for years.”