Ocala Fire Rescue stations are serving as collection sites for food, toiletries, baby items, and toys to benefit local charities.
As the holiday season approaches, the needs of those struggling to make ends meet become more evident. To help those in need, OFR is accepting donations at its local stations through Thursday, December 14.
Here is a list of the items that will be accepted:
- Canned items (meats, fruits, vegetables, soup).
- Dry goods (pasta, rice, dried beans, cereal).
- Other non-perishables (fruit cups, juice boxes, peanut butter, crackers).
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes).
- Baby items (baby food, diapers, wipes).
- New, unwrapped toys in original packaging.
Donations can be dropped off at the following OFR locations:
- Station #1 – 505 NW MLK Jr. Avenue.
- Station #2 – 2701 SE 36 Avenue.
- Station #3 – 320 NE 8th Avenue.
- Station #4 – 3300 SW 20th Street.
- Station #5 – 2340 NE 25th
- Station #6 – 5220 SW 50 Court.
- Station #7 – 885 SE 31 Street.
For information on the holiday donation drive, call Ocala Fire Rescue’s administration office at 352-629-8306.
“Bring the Harvest Home,” an annual holiday drive benefiting Interfaith Emergency Services, the Salvation Army, and Brother’s Keeper, is also underway in Marion County.
The items most in need this holiday season include dry foods and complementary goods, canned meats, canned vegetables and fruit, baby items, and toiletries.
Donations for the 12th annual “Bring the Harvest Home” are currently being accepted at multiple drop-off locations throughout the county, and the collection effort will culminate on Friday, December 1 with an event at the Downtown Square in Ocala.