West Metro Fire-Rescue District’s Food Drive to Benefit Three Local Non-Profits
We often think of firefighters responding to fires, but they serve the community in other ways too.
“We love our jobs and our job entails a lot of situations where its an emergency,” said West Metro Fire-Rescue District Lt. Jesus Soto, “Whenever we can help out where it’s not an emergency, that kind of lets us show our true selves, and our personalities a little bit more, not having the stress of the daily job.”
On Saturday March 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the West Metro Fire-Rescue District, which serves the communities of New Hope and Crystal, will be collecting monetary and non-perishable food donations for its 14th annual food drive.
“Last year, we did $3,000 in cash donations and then we did 23 hundred pounds of food,” said Soto.
Firefighters will be at five local grocery stores accepting items.
“It will be the Cub Foods in Plymouth and Crystal. It will be Almsted’s, Aldi in Crystal, and lastly, the New Hope Hy-Vee,” he said.
West Metro Fire-Rescue District emblem.
Donations will be equally divided among the Food Group and food shelves CEAP and NEAR.
Any donation is welcome, but there’s a stronger need for some items.
“Anything from peanut-butter, jelly, flour, canned soups, pastas, any types of mixes,” said Soto.
Non-food items like soap, paper towels, and diapers are also welcome.
Soto hopes the event raises awareness about food scarcity and brings the community together for a good cause.
“We are always priding ourselves on neighbors helping neighbors, and we want everyone to know that even if you can chip in one item, that one item among thousands of people is going to make a huge difference for again, those who are fighting hunger,” said Soto.
