Morley's 'Red Wagon Food Drive' Travels to Food Pantry

For the past 17 years, the community has been making a very special journey every fall, from their school, down to Farmington Ave., and over to on South Main Street.

Students in grades K-2 are escorted by the West Hartford fire department (complete with their red fire engine) and the West Hartford Police department, as they pull packed red wagons along the mile route.

The event, which usually takes place in early November, is the culmination of Morley's food drive for the West Hartford Food Pantry. However, this year's Red Wagon Food Drive was delayed until last week because of the school days lost earlier in the month due to the power outage.

An honor guard carried flags, as this year the students proudly presented the West Hartford Food Pantry with 53 wagons filled with 1,325 food items.

"We look forward to this event every year; it is a signature event, a kick-off to our season of receiving donations and disseminating food to needy residents all year, and at the holidays, and a very special, heart-warming occurrence. It is generally a significant boost to our pantry as well, as donations typically fall off in spring and summer, leaving the pantry’s shelves dangerously low, if not sometimes downright empty," said Linda Hanson, Volunteer Coordinator for the West Hartford Food Pantry.

Hanson is very thankful to Dr. Ellen Stokoe, Principal at Morley, as well as Dawn O’Connor and Barbara Flores who worked so hard to coordinate this huge effort.

Mayor Slifka was on hand to greet and speak to the children as well.

"It is a wonderful community effort," Hanson said.