New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Food drive Saturday to benefit Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries
Connecticut shoreline fire departments will partner with the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) to host a one-day food drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to collect non-perishable food for shoreline residents in need, according to a news release.
This is the 10th year for the event, which includes other local fire stations as well as several retailers along the shoreline.
The Old Saybrook Fire Department will receive donations at Walmart in the Old Saybrook Shopping Center and at the
Old Saybrook Fire Department Headquarters, 310 Main St. Donations will also be accepted at the Westbrook Fire Department, 15 South Main St.; the Essex Fire Department, 11 Saybrook Road; the Clinton Fire Department, 35 East Main St. and the Clinton ShopRite; the North Madison Fire Department, 864 Opening Hill Road, and Roberts Food Center, North Madison; Deep River Fire Department, 57 Union St.; Chester Hose Company, 6 High St.; and the Deep River Fire Department, 57 Union St.
New drop-off spots this year are located at the Parthenon Diner on Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook; Mirsina’s restaurant on Main Street, Old Saybrook; the Essex Savings Bank, Main Street, Old Saybrook; and the
Scotch Plains Tavern on Westbrook Road, Essex. All of these locations are accepting non-perishable food donations during their regular business hours through Saturday, April 9.
At a time of year when food donations remain low, the food drive will help to restock the pantries and ensure that everyone within local communities will have a place at the table, the news release said.
Shoreline residents are encouraged to join the effort by donating food or by holding a food drive in
their neighborhood, workplace, or club, and then bringing the donations to one of the participating shoreline firehouses between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Food will only be accepted on that date.
The most needed food items are shelf-stable milk; tuna; soup; canned fruits and vegetables
(corn, peas and carrots, mixed vegetables, baked beans); white rice in boxes or bags; dried beans; fruit juice; pasta and sauce; and cereal and oatmeal. In addition, donations can be made by check, payable
to SSKP (with “FD Drive” in the memo field) and drop it off at one of the participating fire stations.
This year’s food drive will feature local TV and radio personalities, including Gil Simmons, chief meteorologist for NEWS 8 WTNH, and talk-show host Lee Elci, of 94.9 FM News NowStimulating Talk. They will join firefighters and volunteers at Old Saybrook Fire Headquarters, 310 Main St.
For more information, go to shorelinesoupkitchens.org or call 860-3955550.