BRIDGETON — The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department has instituted a newly created Warming Hearts program, a food donation drive for senior citizens in the county.

“With Cumberland County being one of the most economically depressed counties in the state,” explains Maria Mendoza, special services officers with the Sheriff’s Department, “we have tried to come up with ways to help the public through these tough times.

“The senior citizens of Cumberland County have been struggling to make it through, month by month. It seems that our seniors, more and more, are having to make the decision of either spending their money on food or their medications.”

This is a decision, Mendoza continues, that no senior should ever have to make.

The Sheriff’s Department has partnered with the Girl Scouts of America—Millville Troops No. 54952 & No. 51007—to help seniors.

Food donation drop-boxes are being placed at various businesses throughout the county during February and March, and the public is being asked to drop off nonperishable food items to be donated.

The donated items will be placed in Easter baskets decorated by the Girls Scouts and handed out to seniors during Easter weekend, April 2-3.

Interested individuals and businesses are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department if they would like to make a donation or become a drop-box location; call the Special Services Unit at (856) 451-4449 ext. 138.

“Please join us in helping our seniors,” says Sheriff Robert Austino.