BPD’s Bless This Dinner accepting donations, applications

The Bloomfield Police Department is accepting donations for its annual Bless This Dinner program.

The program aims to help families in need during the holiday season, according to Bloomfield Town Marshall Kenny Tharp.

Beginning in 2006, the program started out as a food basket fundraiser. Since then, year has shown growth, Tharp said, even partnering with Baeslers, now SuperValu, last year.

“We partnered with Baeslers to give us turkey dinners and assemble food baskets which cost about $60-$75 each,” he said.

Tharp added last year, the department received several thousand dollars in donations from community members and businesses, which went to help 12 families purchase clothing and gifts.

“We target families with children that are aged 12 and under and who may be struggling to make ends meet,” Tharp said. “The members of the police department go through the applications we receive and take the parents we select to Walmart in Linton for shopping.”

Purchases for the families include winter clothing, such as coats, gloves and hats, general clothing and toys. The parents are taken on Dec. 19.

“We want to keep a glimmer of Santa alive for the kids, so we don’t want them to know they’re getting stuff from us,” Tharp said.

Last year’s Bless This Dinner benefited around 30 children in the Bloomfield area.

“It’s really nice to be able to offer a helping hand for those in need,” Tharp said. “As a police department, we see who could use the help throughout the year. I really wish we could show the people who donate the reactions we get; it makes it all worth it.”

Tharp added Bless This Dinner is something the entire department always looks forward to each year.

“We’re all delivering food and helping the families shop,” Tharp said.

Tharp noted despite families being in need, he has seen compassion and a desire to help from those same families.

“Last year, we had to send a lady back to Walmart twice for more things because she didn’t spend the full limit alloted to her,” he said. “After the second trip, she said she had enough and wanted to give the remaining amount to the others.”

Families are screened through applications to ensure the maximum impact can be made between all area assistance programs. Applications can be found at the police department, Family Life Center or online at www.bloomfieldpd.com and are due by Dec. 15.

Those wishing to receive assistance or know of someone who needs assistance, contact the Bloomfield Police Department at 812-384-4114.