Mount Dora, Florida (FL) –  The Fifth Annual Tri-City Fire Department Food Drive Challenge is Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of the public may drop off donations of non-expired canned goods and dry foods or cash/check contributions at one of three local fire department locations. 

The participating fire stations are Eustis FD Station 22 at 100 W. Norton Ave., Mount Dora FD Station 34 at 1300 N. Donnelly St., and Tavares FD Station 28 at 911 Gateway Dr. 

Early drop-offs at the fire stations are welcome from Saturday, Jan. 18, through Friday, Jan. 24, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as at Lake Technical College, 2001 Kurt St., Eustis, from Monday, Jan. 20, through Friday, Jan. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 

“In honor of the fifth anniversary of the event, the fire departments are jazzed to accept the challenge of collecting a record-breaking 50,000 pounds of food for the food pantry,” said Jim Dickerson, president of the Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle. The service club has coordinated the annual event since the inaugural drive in 2021. 

Dickerson noted that, while the pantry sees a surge in collections and distribution during the holidays, there is a need to replenish food supplies in the beginning of the new year due to the immense needs of local children and adults.

In the four years of the food drive, the total collections tallied at 91,401 pounds of unexpired, shelf-stable food for the pantry which provided 76,168 meals to those struggling with food insecurity. During last year’s drive, nearly 26,000 pounds of food were collected. The Eustis department, in partnership with the college, has amassed the most contributions every year to date.

All donations go to the Lake Cares Food Pantry. The nonprofit organization provides food and other necessities directly to people in need in Lake County. From January through November 2024, the pantry served 59,854 individuals while dispensing nearly 1,271,000 pounds of food. The charity distributes food from their main pantry location in Mount Dora as well as seven additional sites throughout the county.

Lake Cares advises checking food for expiration dates. The following food items are priorities: pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned meats, fish – such as tuna, salmon, and chicken – soups, shelf-stable milk, baked beans, beans, chili, baby food, fresh produce and fruit, as well as non-food items such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry and dish detergents, and diapers for babies and adults. 

Cash donations are also accepted. Checks should be made payable to “Lake Cares Food Pantry.” Monetary contributions are calculated at $1.79 in cash equaling one pound of food.

For a detailed shopping list, go to the food pantry’s website www.lakecares.org/donate-food. For more information on the food drive and the Rotary club, go to www.lakecountyrotary.com.