The annual Bring the Harvest Home holiday food drive will culminate in a canned food collection event in Ocala’s Downtown Square on Friday, December 6.
The event, which is ongoing, is sponsored by Marion County in an effort to encourage residents and businesses to help those in greater need.
“We encourage our community to pull together again to help ‘bring the harvest home’ in support of Marion County’s less fortunate residents during this special season,” said Marion County Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant.
The downtown event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with all donated goods going to fill local food pantries.
“This food drive is what ensures that those who come to us in December get an adequate amount of food, not just a holiday meal,” said Karla Grimsley, Interfaith Emergency Services CEO.
The most needed items this holiday season are:
– Dry foods and complementary goods (rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, crackers, peanut butter and jelly). Plastic containers preferred.
– Canned meats (corned beef, corned beef hash, ham and tuna).
– Canned vegetables and fruit.
– Baby items (baby cereal, diapers and lotion).
– Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and toilet paper).
Donations may be dropped off at the Downtown Square on Friday, December 6, or at many other locations through that day. Drop-off locations include:
Marion County public libraries, city and county fire stations, Sheriff’s Office district offices, tax collector offices, Solid Waste recycling centers, Ocala Police Department, Supervisor of Elections, Ocala City Hall, Marion County Administration and the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership.
For addresses and more information on the drive, visit the Bring the Harvest Home holiday food drive website, or visit the Marion County Florida Facebook page.