Richardson neighbors gave close to 10,000 pounds of food in two drives that wrapped up this month, according to tallies the city released Friday.
The larger haul came from National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Residents who hosted or attended registered block parties were asked to bring canned goods for the Richardson Police Department's annual "Can Do" Food Drive, and the department collected more than 6,400 pounds. Police have said the cans go to the food pantry at Network of Community Ministries, the Richardson-area nonprofit.
The second total closes out the city's part in the North Texas Food Bank's annual Peanut Butter Drive. Donors dropped 3,472 pounds of peanut butter and other nut butters at collection sites in September, with more given through online purchases. The jars were delivered last week to Network, which is a partner agency of the food bank.
The city said the donations will stock shelves at Network's headquarters and supply its mobile market, which serves local schools.
When the peanut butter drive ended in early October, city staff had said the final weight would be announced this week.
A big night for block parties
The food drive rode along with Richardson's 37th year in National Night Out, the national program that encourages neighbors and police to get to know each other. Hundreds of people turned out at registered parties in parks and neighborhoods, the city said, where police officers, firefighters, City Council members, Miss Richardson Sarah Bachman and Miss Texas Stephanie Wendt stopped by.