State Senator Tony Hwang was making a donation recently to FAITH Food Pantry when he noticed the shelves were a little too sparsely stocked considering the onset of the holiday season.

So the lawmaker, whose 28th District includes Newtown, decided he would host a food drive to help stock the FAITH pantry shelves just before the Christmas holiday. That food drive is set for Saturday, December 21, from 10 am to 1 pm, in the lobby of Edmond Town Hal, 45 Main Street.

“I’ve always felt better giving than receiving, and when I noticed so many empty shelves at the FAITH Food Pantry just before Thanksgiving, I wanted to be sure there was more available to give to Newtown residents who are forced to do without,” Sen Hwang told The Newtown Bee.

His first call to the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers provided the venue for the food drive. His next call to Todd Ingersoll of Ingersoll Automotive helped land the perfect holiday bonus incentive for families to come out to help make other, less fortunate local residents’ Christmas a little brighter.

“I contacted Todd Ingersoll, and he said he would provide free admission to anyone making a food donation so they could see the matinee screening of the Will Ferrell movie Elf that day at 1 pm,” Sen Hwang said.

Anyone bringing at least one non-perishable food item to Edmond Town Hall December 21, between 10 am and 1 pm, will receive a pass to the show while supplies last.

According to the FAITH pantry website (newtownfoodpantry.org), the organization is currently in need of the following items: beef stew, canned chili, sloppy joe; baked beans and canned tomatoes; pasta and pasta sauce; macaroni and cheese; canned fruit; rice and packaged rice and pasta dishes; peanut butter and jelly; cookies and crackers; cereals; bottled juices; brownie mix, cookie mix, and cake mixes; pet food; toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner; toilet paper, laundry soap, hand soap; liquid dish soap; and coffee.

Remember, FAITH is limited in its refrigeration space and requests donors keep that in mind when providing donations. FAITH will gratefully accept donations by check as well.

Checks can be brought to the food drive December 21 or mailed to Faith Food Pantry of Newtown Inc, PO Box 53, Newtown CT 06470. Make any checks payable to Faith Food Pantry of Newtown Inc.

For more information on the food drive, contact Sen Hwang by e-mail at tony.hwang@cga.ct.gov, or visit senatorhwang.com.