The holiday season is officially here and that means the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is kicking off its annual food drive to help area families in need.
Over the course of the next two weeks CRFD will be taking donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items at our many stations across the City of Columbia and Richland County. The 2024 ‘Firefighters Feeding Families’ Holiday Food Drive will build towards our final community collection day on Friday, December 13th.
Donations will be gathered in at our headquarters at 1800 Laurel Street to be sorted, bagged and distributed to area households that are in need of food this Christmas.
“It is truly amazing to see how this campaign has grown since it began five years ago,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “Each Christmas ‘Firefighters Feeding Families’ has been able to increase the total number of bags of food that we’ve been able to provide to the less fortunate. This would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our elected leaders, area businesses and the community at large. What has not changed each year however is the incredible need for food that exists in our communities.”
“I am hopeful that our generous citizens will answer the call again this year and help us make the holidays brighter for our neighbors in need.”
Last year roughly 500 bags of food were put together and distributed during the ‘Firefighters Feeding Families’ campaign.
Photos from 2023 ‘Firefighters Feeding Families’ Holiday Food Drive
All donations for this year’s drive can be dropped off at the fire museum at CRFD Headquarters, which is located at 1800 Laurel Street in Columbia OR any Columbia-Richland fire station across Richland County between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
A full list of our stations and their locations can be found on our website at www.colafire.net under the ‘Stations’ tab. Donors are encouraged to leave their items with a member of our staff to ensure they have been taken in.
Examples of non-perishable items that can be dropped off for the drive include:
- Canned meats and tuna
- Canned potatoes, vegetables and fruits
- Pasta and rice products
- Canned pasta
- Canned soups and stews
- Cereals
- Canned and dry beans
- Pasta sauces
- Nuts and dried fruits
ALL FOOD DONATED MUST NOT BE PAST EXPIRATION. CITZENS ARE ENCORUAGED TO CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATES ON ITEMS BEFORE DROPPING THEM OFF.
All collected items will go directly to support area families in needs. Citizens needing food assistance can call the department Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8 a.m. until 5 p.m.) at 803-545-3700. Messages can be left at that number.
