For the 11th year, Connecticut shoreline fire departments will partner with SSKP to host a one-day food drive on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. collecting non-perishable food for shoreline residents in need at participating fire stations as well as several grocery stores and businesses along the shoreline.

This year SSKP is especially grateful for such a community-wide effort because the number of those visiting their food pantries this year is currently 26% higher than in pre-pandemic times. Last year SSKP distributed 1.7 million pounds of food – more than ever before in their 34-year history. Every item of food donated will make a real difference to local families who are struggling with food insecurity.

Fire departments already committed include Old Saybrook, Essex, Westbrook, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Old Lyme Fire Station at 69 Lyme Street, Old Lyme and North Madison. Watch for announcements as other fire departments join in this special food drive.

Teams will be collecting donations at their firehouses as well as local grocery stores including Robert’s Food Center in North Madison; Stop & Shop in Old Saybrook and Clinton; Big Y in Old Saybrook and Clinton; ShopRite in Clinton; and Walmart in Old Saybrook. In addition, after March 25th, donations can be brought to, Mirsina’s Restaurant in Old Saybrook, the Parthenon Diner in Old Saybrook, Sal's Pizza & Pasta in Old Saybrook, the Little Pub in Old Saybrook and Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex will be accepting non-perishable food donations, along with the Essex Savings Bank and Staples in Old Saybrook. Please note that these additional locations are accepting non-perishable food donations during their regular business hours through Saturday, April 15th.

This large annual food drive will help to restock the pantries and ensure that everyone in our local communities will have a place at the table. Please join the effort by donating food or by holding a food drive in your neighborhood, workplace, or club, and then bringing the food donations to one of the participating shoreline firehouses. Please note that these participating fire departments can only accept food during the food drive on Saturday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please do not drop off food at these firehouses before that date.

The most needed food items are canned soup; canned fruit/vegetables, boxed meals, (such as mac and cheese), meals-in-a-can, cereal/oatmeal, canned tuna/chicken, pasta and sauce, white rice, and beans.

In addition, donations can be made by check. Please make the check payable to SSKP (with “FD Drive” in the memo field) and drop off the check on Saturday, April 15th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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, the morning personality on his popular Lee Elci Show on 94.9 FM News Now-Stimulating Talk. Both Simmons and Elci will be joining firefighters and volunteers on Saturday morning collecting food items at the Old Saybrook Fire Department Headquarters at 310 Main Street in Old Saybrook.

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries and participating shoreline fire departments also want to extend their special thanks to this year’s Food Drive Media Sponsors including Shore Publishing/Harbor News; 94.9 FM News Now-Stimulating Talk; Soft Rock WBMW 106.5; and Jammin' 107.7 FM, which will host a live broadcast from the OSFD Headquarters during the April 15th food drive.