Empowerment through Power Bars

SOUTHBOROUGH

If you’ve got extra boxes of protein bars hanging around, organizers of a care package drive for troops oversees will take them off your hands this weekend in Southborough.

The event, which coincides with Armed Forces Weekend, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Senior Center at Cordaville Hall at the crossroads of Routes 30 and 85. WROR-FM radio will be playing music and giving out bumper stickers from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

“It doesn't take much, go through your pantry and together as a community we can make a difference and touch the lives of thousands of strangers,” said organizer and Southborough resident Lisa Braccio. “This is so important to me. It has become my life mission.”

Items in demand include beef jerky, hard candy, crackers, peanut butter, cans of tuna and ravioli as well as toothbrushes, body lotion, razors, gum and air fresheners. This weekend’s drive marks the fifth of what has become a bi-annual event. So far 2,200 boxes have been shipped to soldiers oversees.

-- Jennifer Rosinski