Columbia-Richland Fire Department to hold annual food drive on December 20th

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — An annual food drive hosted by the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is set to help nearly 500 families in need this holiday season.

On Friday, December 20th, the fire department will hold its fifth annual “Firefighters Feeding Families Food Drive.”

In the meantime, local businesses big and small, like One Life Fitness and Walmart have donated non-perishable food items to be given out.

“This is one of the campaigns that are close to our hearts here at the fire department and really important to the fire chief. Mainly we wanted to let people know that the fire department is here obviously when you’re facing an emergency and when you need that help. But we’re also here when you need other kinds of support,” says Mike DeSumma, Public Information Officer with the fire department.

If you would like to be added to the department’s list to receive a bag of food items, just give headquarters a call.

“Mainly they just call our headquarters here on Laurel Street. You can call anytime Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 to 5. The number is 803-545-3700. We take your information down and then next week you’re able to come by and pick up your food,” DeSumma says.

Families will be able to pick up their bags at the fire department’s headquarters at 1800 Laurel Street on Friday, December 20th between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“We know the need in the community is very strong year round with families that sometimes from one year to another could be facing harder times, and really during the holiday season we want to make sure everyone can have a good holiday meal. So it’s really important to us and we just take pride in doing it each season,” he says.