Thornton and Grooms Announces Results of Food Drive

 Thornton & Grooms, a top local heating and cooling company, is proud to announce the results of their fifth annual food drive.

During the months of November and December, Thornton and Grooms technicians collected 700 pounds of food for the needy in the local area. In the five years Thornton and Grooms has been collecting food, they have collected 5,000 pounds of canned goods for charity.

Dave Knight, co-owner of Thornton & Grooms, says, “During every service visit our technicians talked about the food drive with customers and asked if they wanted to participate. We offered a $10 discount on repairs if a donation was made of five nonperishable food items or household goods. We also put information on our website for anyone who was interested in donating. Approximately 200 customers took advantage of the discount, saving $2,000 in the process.”

The food that was donated was weighed and then transported to the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul – Oakland County Association Clothes Closet & Food Pantry located in Bloomfield Hills.

The Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul - Oakland Country Association, is made up of approximately 330 members. The organization is involved in a number of charitable activities to assist the underprivileged. Some of these activities include turkeys at Thanksgiving and hams at Easter, which are donated to the Matchan Nutrition Center, baskets full of toys and food for needy families at Christmas, visits to the sick and elderly, prayer books and rosaries for children receiving their First Communion, to name just a few. While the organization was founded in the Catholic faith, its volunteers are comprised of, and help, those of all religious beliefs.

Within the organization is the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry (CCFP) comprised of a group over 80 volunteers based  who are dedicated to serving those in need.

Knight continues, “The Ladies of Charity Clothes Closet and Food Pantry, working with social workers and charities, helps  approximately 18,000 people every year. We visit around 1,000 homes each month, so we knew that we would be able to help, with the assistance of our customers. We knew we could make a difference.”

The Ladies of Charity collects a wide variety of goods that can help the needy.  In addition to non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, clothing of all types, and household items are collected and distributed through social workers who identify areas of need. Items ALWAYS needed are girls/boys/ladies/men new underwear, undershirts, briefs, and bras; and blankets, sheets, and towels.

For more information about the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul – Oakland County Association, please call the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry at (248) 646-0920.