The Holbrook Police Department recently donated $1,000 to the Holbrook Food Pantry as part of their quarantine beards fundraiser. From left, Mike Eshner, Community Outreach Officer and President of the Holbrook Patrolman’s Union; Niall Horgan of the Holbrook Food Pantry; Sgt. Dan Ford, President of the Holbrook Patrolman’s Association. (Photo courtesy Holbrook Police Department)

HOLBROOK — Chief William Smith is pleased to announce that officers in the Holbrook Police Department have been granted permission to grow “quarantine beards” as part of a fundraiser to help the local food pantry in town.

The fundraiser allowed department members to donate $25 per person to earn an exemption from the department’s facial hair restrictions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with all money raised going to the Holbrook Food Pantry.

Approximately half of the officers in the department are actively participating.

In addition to the money raised by participating officers, the Holbrook Patrolman’s Association made a contribution to raise the total donation to $1,000.

Holbrook Police presented the check to the Holbrook Food Pantry on Sunday, May 17.

“We are all in this together, and it is important that we contribute in any way we can,” Chief Smith said. “We hope this donation will allow the Holbrook Food Pantry to continue the work they are already doing to provide food to those residents in need during these difficult times.”

The Holbrook Police Department has a history of coming together to raise money for the community. In the past they have partnered with local Pop Warner cheerleaders to raise money for breast cancer awareness, and have grown beards in the past as part of the Home Base No Shave fundraiser for veterans.

The Holbrook Food Pantry distributes food for the community of Holbrook every second Saturday of the month, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at St John’s Church, 322 South Franklin St.

Holbrook Police Department Raises Money for Holbrook Food Pantry Through Quarantine Beard Fundraiser