HAPCOA-NCR, HNLEA-NCR, UBPOA & APALA host the 16th Annual Christmas Food Basket Drive

16th Annual Christmas Food Drive for Needy Families

APALA & HAPCOA members with volunteer

Volunteers unload food trucks

The Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association – National Capitol Region Chapter, along with members of the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association, the United Black Police Officers Association and the Association of Police Attaches of Latin American (APALA) joined forces and held its 16^th Annual Christmas Food Basket drive for needy families on Friday, December 16, 2016.

HNLEA member set up food prep area

Members & volunteers unload food truck

This year’s event was held at a local apartment complex in Hyattsville, Maryland (just 15 minutes east of Washington, DC).  Despite cold sub-freezing temperatures hundreds of needy families lined up at 6am for bags of much needed food supplies.  Volunteer members of the hosting law enforcement organizations and volunteers from the local community loaded up food ‘baskets’ and then distributed them to the families.  Each bag was loaded with donated food staples provided by the noted law enforcement organizations and local grocery merchants like MEGA MART.

Over 1,200 bags of much needed food items were shared with members of the Latino community.  Local Spanish language radio stations provided press coverage.

On site and organizing the event was HAPCOA NCR Chapter President Captain Joe Perez (Prince Georges County Police Department).  Also attending and representing HAPCOA were Richard Rosa, National 1^st Vice President, National Sgt at Arms Manny Ovalle and Executive Director Anthony Chapa.