Putnamville staff pitches in on food drive to aid residents

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Putnamville Correctional Facility employee Michael Bricker, a member of the prison's Promoting Positive Corrections Culture program, delivers food recently donated by PCF employees to Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry Director Judy Miller (left) and helper Joyce Black. (Courtesy photo)

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) recently conducted a "Be a Life Saver" food drive to benefit residents of the community.

July 1 through Aug. 31 marked the beginning and end of a "Be a Life Saver" food drive and raffle sponsored by members of the correctional facility's Promoting Positive Corrections Culture (PPCC) program.

Coordinated by Sarah LaRoche, for every five food items an employee donated, his or her name was entered into a raffle for a chance to win gift cards from Walmart, Speedway and Radio Shack and autographed photos from the Colts and Indiana Fever, along with other prizes.

Throughout the drive LaRoche sent reminders to PCF staff, "If you don't donate, you can't win!" That and the opportunity to help others was all that it took to get staff members motivated. More than 200 food items and monetary donations were collected.

Delivery efforts also went above and beyond.

PPCC member Michael Bricker came to the facility on his day off, loaded his vehicle and delivered the food and money to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

Bricker was greeted by smiling faces and helping hands as Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry director Judy Miller and volunteer Joyce Black helped to unload the food.

"We always look forward to seeing Putnamville," Miller said. "Thank you so much. This money will allow us to buy specific food items that we are in dire need of."

Miller went on to note that "everyone always gives us chicken noodle soup, and we're thankful for it, but there's a real need for vegetable soup. We need peas and carrots, too."

Promoting Positive Corrections Culture is an Indiana Department of Correction program established in 2009 to promote a positive cultural environment for staff and offenders.

PPCC members Jeremy Bault, Michael Bricker, Charles Carvey, Riley Decker, Sheree Dickison, Paul Hoskins, Kenneth Kortum, Howard Lewis, Paul Lovett, Tonya Morris, Virgil Morris, Tim Phegley, Jade Reedy, Teri Russ, Charles Sage, Derek Smith, Roger Syx and all Putnamville staffers who donated cans of food, contributed to the success of the drive.

Putnamville Supt. Stanley Knight extended his appreciation by telling employees, "Your generosity allowed us to help those less fortunate. Thanks to everyone for your participation."

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