The week of Monday, May 4 through Sunday, May 10 was Public Service Recognition Week – a week set aside each year to honor the men and women who have chosen a career in public service.

“This year, the city wanted to do a community service project,” said Sherry White, the city’s recognition team coordinator. “We decided to hold a food drive to give back to those we serve – especially at a time when so many in our community are feeling the effects of the economy.”

The city’s goal was to donate at least 7,000 pounds of food to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, which amounted to approximately one item per employee. The final figures have not been calculated, but four departments – Public Utilities, Public Works, Communications and Information Technology, and Parks & Recreation – have collected almost 6,000 pounds by themselves.

“The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia feeds more than 65,000 people each month in our community,” said White. “We were happy to help.”

For more information on the food drive, call (757) 385-8949.

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