Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue delivered more than 2,800 pounds of groceries to the Gifts of the Heart Food Bank today
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Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue District posted this to its Facebook page on .
Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue delivered more than 2,800 pounds of groceries to the Gifts of the Heart Food Bank today.
The donations were generated through the fire district’s annual Santa Mobile program, which aims to bring fire safety messages to the public but also doubles as a food drive. It’s a vital seasonal fundraiser for the food bank as the months following the holidays tend to be donation dry, said Molly Hughes, food bank president and mayor of Coupeville.
“That’s really how we survive the next three or four months,” she said.
Nearly $500 in cash was also collected for the food bank.
The Santa Mobile is a fire engine decorated with Christmas lights. Serving as Santa’s sleigh, it and a host of elves tour Central Whidbey communities over eight evenings through December.
It’s a long-running program that’s very “small town,” said Hughes, and one of the things that make Central Whidbey so cool.
“But when you tap it into the food bank, it’s just such a special event,” she said.
Fire Chief Jerry Helm said the program is a win as it brings important fire safety messages to the public during the winter months but also partners with district residents to help feed the hungry.
“It takes a community to come together to do some amazing things,” he said.
He thanked the public for its generous donations.
