Shoreline “Stuff-the-Ambulance” Drive Collects Over 3,000 Pounds of Food

Caption below*

Five area ambulance companies across the shoreline held food drives at local supermarkets on Saturday, June 11th, challenging residents to “stuff” their ambulances with food for Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. Shoppers responded generously, and in total gave over 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food. Supporters also donated over $860, which will provide enough food for over 2,200 meals. Volunteers from five ambulance companies participated, including Essex, Chester, Deep River, Madison and Clinton. Once “stuffed”, the ambulances delivered the food to SSKP’s food pantries, where the volunteers helped unload the food and restock the pantry shelves.

“We are so grateful to the Ambulance Companies from Essex, Chester, Deep River, Madison and Clinton for generously volunteering their time,” said Patty Dowling, Executive Director of SSKP. “Every day they provide life-saving medical care - and now they are giving back even more to help others. We are also very thankful to all those who donated both food and funds. Often there are fewer food drives during the summer months, and this will really make a difference in the lives of families along the shoreline who are struggling.”

Held at Colonial Market in Essex, Stop & Shop in Clinton, Adams Hometown Market in Deep River and Roberts Food Center in Madison, the dedicated volunteers from each ambulance company worked together to make the drive a huge success.

“It’s just another way we can work together to help the people in need,” said Steve Olsen with the Essex Ambulance Association, adding that he hopes this will become an annual tradition.

The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) provides food and fellowship to people in need and educates the community about hunger and poverty, serving 11 shoreline towns. Founded 27 years ago, they accomplish their mission with the help of over 900 dedicated volunteers. Last year SSKP provided food for over one million meals to over 8,000 local residents in need.

*CAPTION: Volunteers from the Chester and Deep River Ambulance Companies at the June 11^th food drive at the Deep River Adams Market. They were joined by Ambulance Companies from Essex, Madison and Clinton holding food drives at other locations.