Firefighters, council members give out 500 bags of groceries during holiday food drive

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The Columbia-Richland Fire Department held it’s fourth annual holiday food drive known as “Firefighters Feeding Families” at its headquarters on Laurel Street Thursday morning.

Chief Aubrey Jenkins says nearly 500 bags of groceries, canned goods, and frozen chickens were given to families in need.

“With so many people in need, in particular for food, it does us real great to be able to do this. I mean this is something that we started four years ago, and this is our fourth annual food drive and distribution. So we’re just really glad to have this being done,” says Jenkins.

In the weeks leading up to the food drive, area residents were encouraged to donate items to the fire department which were then sorted, bagged, and distributed by firefighters and local council members — like Councilwoman Cheryl English who helps make sure families also take home free books for their children and grandchildren.

“For me it’s an opportunity for children to unlock their mind. The possibilities. And I did spend five years on the Richland County Library Board, and so it’s just a passion that I have and a belief that when you unlock a mind you unlock so many possibilities,” says English.

Nearly 400 books were given out during the drive.

“I just believe that children are our future, well I know they are, and everything started from a book. And so a book is a way to escape whatever is going on in the world and to delve into something and find something that is a favorite of yours and it’s kind of like your own personal thing. You learn so much from reading a book, you get so many ideas,” says English.

The event continues to grow, with an additional 200 bags of groceries being given out this year versus last year.

“This is just a small way for us to give back as a community. We work for these people and we want to give back to them. We want to make sure everybody at least has a meal or two during Christmas time or whenever they want to eat it, and we just want to give back, and this is a good way to do something. And so many people have stepped up to the plate,” says Jenkins.