Firefighters asked, and for the 22nd year the public responded.

Members of all five of Newtown’s volunteer fire companies conducted the 2024 Fill The Fire Trucks campaign on November 23. Members of Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company #1, Newtown Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue set up a collection in front of Big Y World Class Market, while members of Botsford Fire Rescue and Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 Inc mirrored the efforts at Sand Hill Plaza, and for four hours they accepted donations for FAITH Food Pantry (FFP).

Sandy Hook VFR EMS Captain Karin Halstead again organized the event, which she launched in 2002.

Family members and friends assisted with the annual collection, which helps fill the shelves at the local pantry on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. As shoppers headed into the supermarkets at either location, many asked if there were specific items needed. The annual event focuses on providing items for Thanksgiving dinners, but shoppers were also told that donations of any nonperishable items, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and pet supplies would all be accepted.

All items were then delivered to the Church Hill Road pantry immediately after the close of the collection at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon. FFP volunteers were ready, with carts and manpower ready to assist as firefighters unloaded the boxes and bags of donations.

This year’s event resulted in donations of 68 turkeys, seven hams, 110 boxes of food and other items, 62 bags of items, and $1,514 in cash and gift cards.