14th Annual CT Shoreline Fire Departments Food Drive

Annual Event Will Benefit Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries 

For the 14th year, Connecticut shoreline fire departments will partner with The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) to host a one-day food drive on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to collect non-perishable food for shoreline residents in need at participating fire stations as well as several grocery stores and businesses along the shoreline.

SSKP is truly grateful for such a community-wide effort as households struggle with the rising cost of food, fuel, and basic needs. Last year SSKP distributed 1.6 million pounds of food. Every item of food donated will make a real difference to local families struggling with food insecurity.

Many local shoreline fire departments will be collecting non-perishable food for SSKP during the April 18th food drive, which is one of the organization's largest food drives of the year. Shoreline fire departments already committed to participate include Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Chester, and Clinton. 

Fire department teams will be collecting donations at their firehouses as well as local grocery stores including Stop & Shop in Old Saybrook and Clinton, Big Y in Clinton, ShopRite in Clinton, and Walmart in Old Saybrook. In addition, non-perishable food donations can be brought to Mirsina’s Restaurant in Old Saybrook, the Parthenon Diner in Old Saybrook, and Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex as well as the Essex Bank in Old Saybrook and Staples in Old Saybrook. Please note that all these additional locations are accepting non-perishable food donations during their regular business hours through Saturday, April 18th.

This year's food drive will help to restock the pantries and ensure that everyone in our local communities can have access to the food they need. Please join the effort by donating food or by holding a food drive in your neighborhood, workplace, or club, and then bringing the food donations to one of the participating shoreline firehouses. Please be aware that these participating fire departments can only accept food during the food drive occurring on Saturday, April 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please do not drop off food items at these firehouses before that date.

The most needed food items are: canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish/canned chicken, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, canned soup; breakfast cereals, and ready-to-eat canned meals.

In addition, food drive donations can be made by online at www.shorelinesoupkitchens.org or by check. Please make the check payable to SSKP (with “FD Drive” in the memo field) and drop off the check on Saturday, April 18th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at one of the participating fire stations or mail to SSKP, PO Box 804. Essex, CT 06426.

This year's food drive is pleased to announce that local TV and radio personalities will participate, including Gil Simmons, Chief Meteorologist for NEWS 8 WTNH, and talk-show host Lee Elci, the morning personality on his popular Lee Elci Show on 94.9 FM News Now-Stimulating Talk. Both Simmons and Elci will be joining firefighters and volunteers on Saturday morning, April 18th, collecting food items at OSFD Headquarters at 310 Main Street in Old Saybrook. 

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries and participating shoreline fire departments also want to extend their special thanks to this year’s Food Drive Media Sponsors including Shore Publishing/Harbor News; 94.9 FM News Now-Stimulating Talk; Soft Rock WBMW 106.5; and Jammin' 107.7 FM, which will host a live broadcast from the OSFD Headquarters during the April 18th food drive.