Give To the Pantry At Turn on the Town and Help Belmont Education

When residents come to see Santa arrive in Belmont on Thursday, they are being asked to make their own special delivery at the annual Turn on the Town Celebration on Leonard Street in Belmont Center.

Along with Santa, carolers and the rest of the festivities, there will be a food drive to benefit The Belmont Food Pantry. According to Martha Brown of Hammond Residential, in recent years, this food drive has been quite successful filling the food pantry shelves for the holidays.  Unfortunately, last year there was a significant decline in donations despite the fact that the Food Pantry is serving more families than ever.

In an effort to boost participation and double the impact of everyone's donation, Hammond Residential is sponsoring this year's food drive.

And as an incentive for people to bring food and sundries on Thursday, for every item donated to the pantry, Hammond will donate $1 to The Foundation for Belmont Education with no limit to the amount Hammond will donate.

To make it even easier, there are two convenient drop-off options:

• Hammond Offices, 84 Leonard St. (drop off anytime this week during business hours)

• At the Tree Lighting on Thursday night where you can drop off items at Hammond or in front of Il Casale.

Please consider supporting both the Belmont Food Pantry and The FBE by donating non-perishable food items or toiletries this week.