'Day of Caring' Statewide Food Drive Scheduled for Saturday

Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced a statewide "Day of Caring & Compassion" on Saturday, July 31, when several fire stations around Connecticut will serve as collection centers for donations of non-perishable food to help replenish the state's two main food pantries.

"Mark it on the calendar. July 31 will be the day we can all help fill the shelves the shelves of Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank," Governor Rell said. "Fire departments around the state made our 2009 campaign such a success that we are delighted to have them again this year as partners.

"The economy is still very volatile and the need remains great for so many families who continue to struggle to make ends meet. With schools out for the summer, many children who were served by school lunch and breakfast programs do not now have that option. I am urging everyone to pitch in again this year and help Foodshare, Connecticut Food Bank and local fire departments help fill that void."

The Governor said the goal is to collect as much non-perishable food as possible. Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank will organize pick-ups from the fire stations later in the day — and from there it will go to food pantries and people in need all across Connecticut.

The following fire stations in cities and towns across the state have confirmed that they will serve as collection centers:

• DANBURY — 19 New Street
• ENFIELD — District #1, 200 Phoenix Avenue
• FARIFIELD — Fire Station #1, 140 Reef Road
• MIDDLETOWN —169 Cross Street
• NORTH WINDHAM —603 Boston Post Road
• NORWICH — East Great Plain Volunteer Station, 488 New London Turnpike
• OLD SAYBROOK — 310 Main Street
• WATERBURY — 740 Highland Avenue
• WEST HARTFORD — 20 Brace Road
• WEST HAVEN — West Shore Fire District, 860 Ocean Avenue
• WESTPORT — Fire Headquarters, 515 Post Road East
• WILLIMANTIC — 13 Bank Street