Wilmington Fire Department collecting donations for annual Holiday Food Drive

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Fire Department is asking for the community’s help this holiday season as it collects food donations to support local children and families in need.

The department’s annual Holiday Food Drive is underway, with donations being accepted at all 10 Wilmington fire stations and the Skyline Center.

The food drive benefits Nourish NC, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritious food to children experiencing food insecurity.

Donations will be delivered to Nourish NC on Dec. 11 and will support the organization’s Market on Market and backpack programs, which help provide food to children and families throughout the community.

The most-needed food items include:

• Fruits and vegetables: Pasta sauce, jelly, vegetable cups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, individual juice boxes, applesauce cups and dried fruit.
• Grains: Kid-friendly cereal, oatmeal, granola, rice, pasta and granola or snack bars.
• Packaged side dishes: Knorr rice or pasta sides, noodle bowls and individual macaroni and cheese.
• Proteins: Hearty soups, pasta with meat, peanut or almond butter, canned chicken or tuna, chili with beans and black or pinto beans.

Nourish NC encourages residents to donate nutritious, unexpired food that children can easily prepare or eat.

Organizers ask that people avoid donating glass containers, junk food or expired items.

Last year, the Wilmington Fire Department helped collect more than 3,600 pounds of food through the annual drive.

This year, the department hopes to surpass that total with help from the community.

Residents can drop off donations at any Wilmington fire station or the Skyline Center ahead of the Dec. 11 delivery.

For a complete list of fire station locations, visit the Wilmington Fire Department’s website.