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CENTRE- The Centre Fire food drive will begin Monday, July 13, as Centre Fire/Rescue works to help restock local food pantries and support families in need.
Centre Fire Chief Robert Pace and Public Information Officer Joey Weaver joined Jerry Baker in the WEIS Radio studio Thursday morning to talk about the month-long effort. They said the goal is simple. They want to give the community an easy way to help neighbors who may need a little extra support.
You can hear the interview here:
Centre Fire/Rescue is asking residents to donate non-perishable food items throughout the drive. Donations may be dropped off at the fire station, located at 421 East Main Street in Centre.
Pace said the department is building a drop box that will be placed outside the station. That will allow residents to drop off donations at any time.
Donation boxes will also be available at Cherokee Family Health and Pick N Save as well as other locations.
Helping Local Food Pantries
Weaver said local food pantries sometimes see supplies run low. He said the summer months can be a busy time for families, and even a small donation can help.
Suggested donation items include canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, rice, boxed meals, cereal, oatmeal, soup, canned pasta, macaroni and cheese, shelf-stable milk, and other non-perishable food items.
Weaver said residents do not have to stretch their budget to make a difference. One or two items can still help a family.
He also encouraged churches, civic groups, families, and local organizations to make the food drive a project. Weaver said groups could even turn it into a friendly competition to see who can collect the most food.
Pace said the drive gives people of all ages a way to take part. Children, adults, and seniors can all collect food and help support the effort.
The food drive is scheduled to run for one month. Pace said Centre Fire/Rescue could extend the drive depending on the community response.
A Simple Way To Give Back
Pace said the idea for the drop box came after seeing another local collection effort. He said his daughter works with Cherokee Family Health, which also has a collection box, and that helped inspire the department to build one of its own.
Pace said the food drive is another way Centre Fire/Rescue can continue serving the community beyond emergency calls.
Weaver said anyone could need assistance one day. He encouraged residents to keep that in mind when donating.
Centre Fire/Rescue officials said they look forward to a strong turnout. They said every donation, no matter the size, can help make a difference for families across the community.
Smoke Detectors Available For Centre Residents
Pace also discussed Centre Fire/Rescue’s partnership with the American Red Cross to provide smoke detectors for Centre residents who need them.
He said residents can contact the department, and firefighters will come out and install the smoke detectors at no cost.
Pace said the devices are not placed randomly. Firefighters install them where they will be most effective and where residents can hear them if they activate.
He also reminded residents that smoke detectors save lives.
Residents who want to donate to the food drive may drop off non-perishable food items at Centre Fire/Rescue, Cherokee Family Health, or Pick N Save.
https://weisradio.com/2026/07/08/centre-fire-rescue-food-drive/
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