10 CT Shoreline Fire Departments Team Up To Host Food Drive on April 26th!

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. - April 20, 2014 - PRLog -- 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 26th, 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 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 St; Old Lyme FD, 69 Lyme St; Essex FD, 11 Saybrook Rd; Westbrook FD, 15 South Main; Clinton FD, 35 East Main St; Deep River FD, 57 Union St; Killingworth FD, 333 Route 81; Chester FD, 6 High St; North Madison FD, Opening Hill Rd; Niantic FD 1, 8 Grand St; Niantic FD 2, 227 West Main St. Several other fire departments are expected to participate, as well. Watch for announcements on the Shoreline Soup Kitchens' website at www.shorelinesoupkitchens.org. All area fire departments are welcome to participate.

At a time of year when food donations are low, this food drive will help to restock the pantries and ensure that everyone in our local communities will have a place at the table. The Soup Kitchens' five pantries combine to distribute approximately 17,000 pounds of food every week. Only 40 percent of this food comes from the CT Food Bank; the remainder must be either purchased or donated, so every item is appreciated. Last year’s drive brought in 7,500 pounds of food, and this year’s goal is 10,000 pounds.

Please join the effort by donating food, or by holding a food drive in your neighborhood, workplace, or club, and then bringing it to a participating firehouse on Saturday, April 26th. Participating fire departments ask those donating food to only drop off food on Saturday, April 26th. Please do not drop off food before that date.

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.

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.

In addition, the Old Saybrook Fire Department, the 9 participating shoreline fire departments, and SSK&P would like to sincerely thank this years print media sponsor, Shore Publishing and it's Harbor News paper for their support.

Contact: Max Sabrin, Volunteer Fire Police Officer  Media Relations / Special Events Coordinator
Old Saybrook Fire Department   Office 860.269.5528 / Cell: 860.857.5300
email: osfd@aol.com    www.oldsaybrookfire.com