The monthly Cram the Cruiser event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday, November 13, at the Norwich Police Department. Volunteers will be set up in front of the building, weather permitting, to accept donations of hats, gloves, and mittens for those in need. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The monthly Cram the Cruiser event is back this week to collect items for community members in need. Started in the summer of 2021, Cram the Cruiser collects different things each month based on community need, such as food items, school supplies, and more. This month they are accepting donations for hats, gloves, and mittens.

The event is put on by CVFree Church, and held at the Norwich Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 13. Donations can be dropped off in the front of the building, weather permitting.

"In the event that the weather is nice, certainly the volunteers would be out front. But they park a cruiser on the front lawn as a symbol to remind people," said CVFree Church Pastor Jen Westervelt. "In the event of inclement weather the donations are collected out in the back of the police department in the garage."

"Probably through the winter months we'll largely be collecting out back in the garage," she added.

Cram the Cruiser is held on a monthly basis, on the Saturday before the third Thursday of the month. Items collected during Cram the Cruiser are sorted through and prepared for the Helping Hands donation event, which is held on the third Thursday of each month at the Norwich Family YMCA.