Celebrating Our Bounty: South Fire Collects Food For Food Pantry

In an effort to take the advice Arianna Huffington gave the other night to the audience at a Middlesex Community Foundation event, here's a story about one group of generous area residents giving to those in need.

Members of the South Fire District posted themselves outside of Stop and Shop Friday night, and they will be there all day Saturday in their annual effort to collect food for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

Firefighters told me stories of more than one person exiting the store with a cart full of food, and lifting a full bag from the cart.  The fireman would reach for the bag only to have the person say, "No, the bag is for me, the cart is for you."  Firefighters also accepted bags full of food from a couple who said that last year they had to use the food pantry, but this year they had jobs and were happy to donate.

Friday evening South Fire delivered a truck full, and a pickup truck full of food to Amazing Grace.  Firefighters hope to break the record they set last year during their Saturday collection of one truckload and five pickup trucks full.

Firefighters at the door are handing out a short list of items most needed by the food pantry, and are also accepting donations of Stop and Shop gift cards.