ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — SJC Cultural Events Inc. is bringing back its annual “Rock the Pantries” food drive Friday, Nov. 6, at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.
Both venues will accept nonperishable food donations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The items will benefit 14 food pantries, including Epic-Cure, St. Johns Food Pantry, Pie in the Sky Community Alliance and Betty Griffin House.
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Last year’s drive collected more than 31,000 pounds of food, said Gabe Pellicer, CEO and president of SJC Cultural Events, a 501(c)(3) organization that manages both venues.
“This year, we want to build on that momentum, collect even more, and make sure we are doing everything we can to help local families heading into the holidays,” Pellicer said.
Local pantries say demand continues to grow. Sunny Mulford, executive director of Epic-Cure, said more than 3,700 families who had never sought assistance from the organization have done so this year.
“Rock the Pantries is a chance for our community to come together and lighten that load,” Mulford said.
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Residents, businesses and community groups can bring donations to the main parking lots of either venue, where SJC Cultural Events staff will collect them. Donors can enter to win a merchandise pack featuring items from both venues.
Items requested
Examples of nonperishable donations include:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup or stew
- Canned, dried or plastic-packaged fruit or applesauce
- Canned beans and vegetables
- Cooking oils
- Canned tuna, salmon, ham or chicken
- Pasta, rice or instant potatoes
- Granola bars, nuts or crackers
- Boxed cereal or meals
Items that cannot be accepted
- Items needing refrigeration
- Expired food
- Leftovers
- Food with packaging concerns
- Baked goods
- Items in glass or cellophane packaging
More information
Event details are available at The Amp’s website and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall’s website.
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