All seven fire stations in Danville will be collecting donations for God’s Storehouse from the community. Donations requested should be non-perishable and not in glass containers.
God’s Storehouse has remained open throughout the past few weeks with a drive-thru/walk-up food box distribution held on Mondays through Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“Our number of clients has been steady and we have many new people who have not been to God’s Storehouse before coming by and requesting food,” said Karen Harris, executive director of God’s Storehouse. “These numbers are expected to increase over the coming weeks and while our supply of nonperishables is good right now, we know that will change in three to four weeks.”
This is why the Danville Fire Department has stepped forward to help God’s Storehouse stock the shelves. The local food pantry is finding it difficult to purchase food from usual suppliers and food donations from individuals, civic groups, businesses, faith organizations and schools are down 35%.
“God’s Storehouse relies on food donations to stock their shelves and when we heard that they needed to boost their supply, the fire department knew we needed to help,” said Dave Coffey, fire chief of the Danville Fire Department. “We invite the community to help us collect food for our neighbors. Just buy some extra when you do your grocery pick-up and drop it off at any station on the way home. We’ll take care of the rest.”
Grocery items needed include:
- Peanut butter
- Canned meat – chicken, tuna, beef stew
- Low-sugar canned fruit
- Small juices – 100% fruit juice, high in vitamin C
- Canned mixed vegetables
- Canned collard greens or other green vegetables
- Tomato and chicken noodle soup
- Small and large cereals
- Canned pasta sauce
- Pasta
Each fire station will have white cardboard collection bins at their seven facilities for donation drop-offs.
“I am so grateful to Chief Coffey for reaching out and to have the Fire Department host this food drive for us. What a blessing!” said Harris. “Our big Stamp Out Hunger food drive in May has been postponed due to the pandemic. We depend on that food to get us through the summer months when donations significantly decrease. Having this food drive now will replenish our shelves that are quickly being depleted.”
About God’s Storehouse
God’s Storehouse works throughout the Danville and Pittsylvania County communities to collect food, distribute food resources to those in need, promote nutrition, and connect customers to local resources with the help of the local faith-based community, businesses, schools, and volunteers. To learn more about God’s Storehouse, visit their website at www.godsstorehouse.org. For 32 years, God’s Storehouse has been the primary and one of the largest non-profit food pantries in our area whose purpose is to provide life-sustaining food to the hungry so that they may focus on advancing their lives.
