Officers with the Reading (MA) Police Department raised more than $2,000 for a local food bank this holiday season.

The agency said on its Facebook page that this is the second year holding a "Don't Shave December" fundraiser to support the local food pantry. The initiative began last year when multiple officers expressed significant enthusiasm after raising funds for Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program dedicated to helping veterans and their families, through "No Shave November."

As a result, the department held "Don't Shave December," and the department's shaving regulations were waived once again, this time to support the local food pantry.

Deputy Chief Clark said, "Waiving the department's shaving regulations is a fun way to come together and donate to support organizations that do incredible work, and it is our pleasure to be able to give back to the Reading Food Pantry."

"With this donation we will be able to buy between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds of fresh food," said Coordinator of the Reading Food Pantry Phyllis Maxwell. "We thank the Reading Police Department for helping support the Food Pantry with this great fundraiser."