Bow Police Deliver Surplus Chickens to Local Food Pantry

A routine Saturday patrol took an unexpected turn for the Bow Police Department when officers were approached by a truck driver at a local truck stop. The driver had an excess of frozen chickens and needed assistance finding a suitable home for the surplus.

Sergeant Harry Handy was the first to respond to the driver’s dilemma at the Alltown truck stop on Route 3A. Recognizing the unique situation, he called Detective Sergeant Tyler Coady for help. “The trucker had to find a home for a pallet of whole chickens. So we made several calls to try to find a home for them,” Coady explained.

While Bow police officers are accustomed to finding homes for lost pets, this was their first experience with a pallet of chickens—specifically, 250 processed chickens ready for distribution. After numerous phone calls, the Friendly Kitchen, a nonprofit organization based in Concord, agreed to accept the donation.

With the assistance of a pickup truck from the local fire department, Handy and Coady loaded the boxed poultry, which had traveled all the way from Texas, and transported them to the Friendly Kitchen. “What else are you going to do with a pallet of chickens? There are hungry people,” Coady noted. “It’s one of those things that we’re glad we were able to help facilitate.”

The staff at the Friendly Kitchen expressed gratitude for the donation, stating that each four-pound chicken could provide meals for six to eight people. This means the contribution could potentially feed approximately 1,500 to 2,000 individuals in need.

Coady, who joined the Bow Police Department in 2008, has a history of assisting with food deliveries. He recalled an incident several years ago when a church was struck by lightning, leaving a woman unable to transport her groceries. Coady stepped in to help, carrying her groceries home and even making headlines in the process.

While he was pleased to facilitate the chicken donation, Coady humorously added, “Thankfully, they were already dead. It’s one of those feel-good type things where the public gets to see what we do.”

This incident highlights the community spirit and quick thinking of local law enforcement, demonstrating their commitment to supporting those in need while also handling unexpected challenges.