Community Corner
Shoreline Fire Departments Team Up for Food Drive
Donations collected during this Saturday's drive will go to the five local food centers run by The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.
For the third year, CT shoreline fire departments will host an area-wide food drive to collect non-perishable food for area residents in need.
The local fire stations will be open to receive donations of non-perishable food on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The donations will go to five local food pantries run by The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP). The organization serves the towns of Essex, Chester, Clinton, Madison, Old Saybrook, East Lyme, Lyme, Old Lyme, Killingworth, Westbrook and Deep River.
A Shoreline Effort
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries organization hopes to include all fire departments in the 11 shoreline towns they serve.
Those fire departments already committed to the event include:
- Old Saybrook FD, 310 Main Street
- Old Lyme FD, 69 Lyme Street
- Essex FD, 11 Saybrook Road
- Westbrook FD, 15 South Main
- Clinton FD, 35 East Main Street
- Deep River FD, 57 Union Street
- Killingworth FD, 333 Route 81
- Chester FD, 6 High Street
- North Madison FD, Opening Hill Road
- Niantic FD 1, 8 Grand Street
- Niantic FD 2, 227 West Main Street
Watch for announcements on the Shoreline Soup Kitchens' website at www.shorelinesoupkitchens.org. All area fire departments are welcome to participate.
Helping to Restock
At a time of year when food donations are low, this food drive will help to restock the pantries and ensure that all those in local shoreline communities have a place at the table.
The Soup Kitchens' five pantries combine to distribute some 17,000 pounds of food every week.
Only 40 percent of this food comes from the East Havenb-based Connecticut Food Bank.
This means the remainder must be either purchased or donated, so every donated item is appreciated.
2014 Goal: 10,000 Pounds
Last year’s drive brought in 7,500 pounds of food, and this year’s goal is 10,000 pounds.
Area residents are invited to join the effort by donating food, or by holding a food drive in their neighborhood, workplace, or club — and then bringing it to a participating firehouse on Saturday, April 26.
Participating fire departments ask those donating food to only drop off food on Saturday, April 26. Please do not drop off food before that date.
Most Needed Items
The most needed food items are: canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon); canned fruits and vegetables; peanut butter; canned and boxed meals; canned or dried beans; pasta and rice; and cereal.
Those items not accepted include: rusty or unlabeled cans; perishable items; homemade items;non-commercial packaged or canned items; alcoholic beverages and mixes; and open or used items.
Special Live Broadcast
As part of this year's food drive, the Old Saybrook Fire Department (310 Main St.) will host a special live broadcast on radio stations Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW; Connecticut’s Hottest Jamz Jammin 107.7; and 94.9 News Now!
The radio stations will be broadcasting live remotes from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th.
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