SJC Cultural Events will host its annual Rock the Pantries food drives on Nov. 6 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, collecting nonperishable donations for organizations serving people across St. Johns County.
Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at either venue’s box office. The effort will stock Epic-Cure, Pie in the Sky Community Alliance, the Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County, St. Francis House and 10 other local organizations.
Epic-Cure Executive Director Sunny Mulford said the organization’s distribution sites have seen attendance from people in need double. More than 3,700 families who had not previously sought assistance have come to Epic-Cure this year, she said.
Requested items include peanut butter; canned soup, stew, beans, vegetables, fruit and meat; cooking oil; pasta; rice; instant potatoes; granola bars; nuts; crackers; boxed cereal; and boxed meals. Organizers cannot accept food requiring refrigeration, expired food, leftovers, baked goods, items with damaged or questionable packaging, or products packaged in glass or cellophane.
Last year’s dual drive collected 31,200 pounds of food, including canned vegetables, soup, beans, rice, peanut butter and cooking oil. Residents, businesses and community groups are encouraged to contribute at either St. Johns County location.
