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In its 24th year, this largest one-day food drive in America is also the largest in the Fairfield area with the Fairfield Post Office and Southport collecting some 253 bins of food during last year's event.
This year, Operation Hope’s Food Pantry is in need of beef stew, brown rice/flavored rice or pasta dishes, canned chicken, canned fruit, Chef Boyardee / Spaghetti-o’s, clam chowder, coffee, egg noodles, flour, granola bars and other individual snacks (lunchbox-style), green tea, jelly/jam, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, oil, salad dressing, sugar, shampoo, tomato sauce and toothpaste.
One of the most frequently asked questions is what is “nonperishable food?” The top requested nonperishable food items are: cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100 percent juice, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned protein such as tuna, chicken and turkey, and beans, either canned or dry.
Once picked up by the letter carriers, the food will be delivered to the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities, 100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield. Volunteers will be on hand to sort the donations.
William B. Meyer, Inc., a provider of transportation, storage and distribution services, has once again donated the use of a truck, lock and ramp for the storage and transportation of the food donations to the Food Pantry.
“We’re seeing an increased usage of our Food Pantry, which means the shelves are emptied faster than we can keep up,” said Kathleen McNamara, Operation Hope food pantry manager. “We are grateful to our local residents for helping area families and individuals who are hungry,. And remember, if your letter carrier is not participating, Operation Hope needs food all year long. Donations can be made daily.”
For more information, contact Operation Hope at 203-292-5588 or visit www.operationhopect.org.
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