HPD to Help Feed Thousands this Holiday Season

November 30, 2009 - Houston Police Chief Harold L. Hurtt and other members of the Houston Police Department today (Nov. 30) announced the kickoff of HPD’s 24th Annual “La Comida” Food Drive to feed those in need during the holiday season.

The Houston Police Department, Houston Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association, Fiesta Mart, The Hispanic Ministers Against Crime, and the Pepsi Bottling Group have joined forces to sponsor the annual “La Comida” Food Drive. This year marks the 24th year of partnership between Pepsi, Fiesta and HPD.

The “La Comida” Food Drive began in December 1985 with Officer Joe Dominguez’s concern for the less fortunate Hispanic citizens of Houston. Dominguez put together what is today one of the largest food drives in the city of Houston. During the first year, approximately 600 families received a box of non-perishable food. Each box donated fed a family of four during the Christmas holidays.

The food drive now provides food for more than 3,500 families in the city of Houston and last year raised a record high of $51,688 in cash donations. All of the cash donations are used to purchase basic food staples packaged for distribution to families.

HPD officers will begin collecting food on the following dates at the 14 following Fiesta stores:

Collection Dates:
Thursday, December 3, Noon to 8 p. m.
Friday, December 4, Noon to 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fiesta Mart Locations:
3803 Dunlavy 1175 Edgebrook
2300 North Shepherd 7510 Bellfort
8320 F.M. 1960 5600 Mykawa
4711 Airline 11240 Fondren
10401 Jensen 8130 Kirby
12201 East Freeway 4200 San Jacinto
800 South Wayside 6200 Bellaire

JKS/JFC 11-30-09

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 .