Groups Step Up For Hero Food Drive

JACKSONVILE, FL -- You can be a hero to people in need in our tough economy right now.

Fire fighters with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue announced today they are 100% behind our new Be A Hero Food Drive.

Neal White, the Vice-President of the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters, says there's no reason anyone in our country should be hungry, even with the lean budget times now.

The fire fighters are taking donations of canned good and non-perishable items at two fire stations right now:

FIRE STATION #12 -- 3408 Atlantic Blvd

FIRE STATION #14 -- 4242 Herschel in Avondale

The fire fighters will donate all the food to our Be A Hero Food Drive. We're gathering food for the Second Harvest Food Bank, which distributes food to hundreds of local food banks and pantries.

So start collecting cans now!

You can also drop off your donations on our big Hero days, July 17th and 18th. First Coast News anchors and reporters will be with United Way volunteers taking donations.

We'll be at the Orange Park Mall and the St. Johns Town Center.

Also today, Brownie Girl Scouts from Troop 671 dropped food donations by our TV station.

The girls have been working hard with troop leaders, who say this is an opportunity to teach leadership and generosity.

Kristie Murph, a scout co-leader, says the girls gave cans instead of their dues for some weeks to participate.

Another group of heroes? The staff members at Life Care Centers are collecting cans at all their locations, including Hilliard.

Donna Ellis at the Wells Crossing location in Orange Park says she's been watching the people in our Hero Food Drive stories on First Coast News and her heart goes out to their struggles.

Ellis says anyone can bring cans by their locations and add to the community effort.

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