Help first responders reach 5,000-pound holiday food drive goal

First responders and community partners in Beaufort County are joining forces to help local families in need through the fifth annual Beaufort County First Responder Food Drive. Organizers are aiming to collect more than 5,000 pounds by December 11 to give to Bluffton Self Help and HELP of Beaufort, two non-profit organizations providing essential support to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship in Beaufort County and the surrounding Lowcountry.

The annual drive brings together fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services and community organizations to collect food for families during the holiday season. Last year’s drive collected more than 4,000 pounds of food.

Residents can participate by donating unopened, nonperishable food items that are within their expiration dates at collection locations throughout the county. The Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire District, located at 146 Lady’s Island Drive, is the main collection site, with more drop-off locations across Beaufort County.

Beaufort and Port Royal

• Beaufort County, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort
• Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, 2001 Duke St., Beaufort, and 70 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island
• Beaufort County EMS, 2727 Depot Road, Beaufort; 25 William Pope Drive, Okatie; 31 Red Barn Drive, Bluffton; and 12 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Bluffton
• City of Beaufort, 1911 Boundary St., Beaufort
• Beaufort Police Department, 1901 Boundary St., Beaufort
• Town of Port Royal, 700 Paris Ave., Port Royal
• Port Royal Police Department, 1748 Paris Ave., Port Royal
• Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, 1750 Paris Ave., Port Royal
• Burton Fire District, 2 Market, Beaufort

Bluffton and surrounding areas

• Town of Bluffton, 20 Bridge St., Bluffton
• Bluffton Police Department, 101 Progressive St., Bluffton
• Bluffton Township Fire District, 357 Fording Island Road, Bluffton
• Sheldon Township Fire District, 5 Fire Station Lane, Sheldon
• Fripp Island Fire Department, 289 Tarpon Blvd., Fripp Island
• MCAS Beaufort Fire and Emergency Services, 2085 Drayton St., Beaufort
• Preserve at Hanover Park Apartments, 125 Hanover St., Beaufort
• Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie

Yemassee

• Town of Yemassee, 101 Town Circle, Yemassee
• Yemassee Police Department, 21 Zahler St. East, Yemassee

Food donations should be dropped off by Dec. 11.