The Chattanooga Police Department is hosting a blood drive, Heroes Against Hunger, with nonprofit regional blood center, Blood Assurance, on Tuesday. For every person that gives blood at the drive, $5 will be given to the Chattanooga Area Foodbank.
The blood drive will be from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Police and Fire Training center at 3200 Amnicola Hwy. in Chattanooga.
“The Chattanooga Police Department is proud to partner with the Chattanooga Area Foodbank,” said Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy. “We strive to serve and protect our community and we hope that people will come out to the training center to help by giving blood and also to help the foodbank feed local families.”
The feeding program provides food to 144,330 clients in the Chattanooga area living below the poverty line every year and counts on volunteers and donations from the community.
The CPD will be collecting non-perishable food items for the food bank on the day of the blood drive on top of Blood Assurance’s $5 donation to the food bank for every donor who gives blood.
“We are very pleased to engage in this partnership with the CPD and Blood Assurance,” said Gina Crumbliss, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Foodbank. “We are able to make 20 meals with each $5 donation that will be given per donor and we hope to see the community out here in support of our mission to feed the families of the Chattanooga area.”
All donors will receive a complimentary “Donor in Paradise” beach towel and donors 18 years or older will be entered into a Blood Assurance monthly drawing for a movie package valued at $200.
Walk-ins are welcome but donors can also make an appointment. To schedule an appointment for this drive, call (800) 962-0628, text BAGIVE to 444999 or visit bloodassurance.org/cpd.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. For more information about donation, please visit www.bloodassurance.org or call (800) 962-0628.