CHICOPEE – The Pioneer Valley USO hosted a food donation drive in Chicopee on Nov. 6 to help put together holiday food baskets for military families. There were also other donation drives in South Hadley and Granby the same weekend. These drives helped supply enough food to create forty baskets.

The holiday food baskets are distributed to active military members who need help supplying a Thanksgiving meal for their family.  Military members can sign up to receive a basket and will get a call to come pick it up when it’s ready. Pioneer Valley USO Executive Director Allan Tracy told Reminder Publishing that they have another 80 baskets to give out, and are anticipating more as the holiday approaches.

Pioneer Valley USO also placed food drop off boxes at two local Stop & Shops, one in East Longmeadow and the other in Belchertown. The USO usually has food drives in the grocery store parking lots, but this was not possible this year due to COVID-19.

“Those drives are usually fantastic. We’ve lost those because of the non-solicitation right now and because of the virus,” said Tracy.

Donations are still being accepted, as the USO explained they would love to get enough supplies to help make as many full meals as possible. According to Tracy, donations of any non-perishables are welcome, but they are in great need of items like cereal, apple juice, cranberry juice, mushroom soup, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, canned vegetables and more.

To set up a donation, the Pioneer Valley USO can be reached at 557-3290. It is necessary to let the USO know when donations are planned to be dropped off, as only military members can access the base. Tracy said a drop-off point can be established for those wanting to donate. Social distancing and masks are required for any drop-offs, said Tracy.

Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated, according to Tracy. Checks can be made payable to Pioneer Valley USO and sent to their address at 250 Jenkins St., Box 17, Chicopee, MA 01022.

The USO’s mission, according to their website, is to “strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their service to our nation.” The food donation drives help make sure military members and their families can be fed this holiday season.

The Pioneer Valley USO also gives out Christmas baskets for military families who need a meal. Donations accepted now will rollover into that program, according to Tracy.

“Usually by Christmastime we’re pretty loaded up and we have a lot left over to give out,” he said.

For more information on future donation dates and food items needed, The Pioneer Valley USO posts updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Their website is https://pioneervalley.uso.org/.