CBS Fire Department comes through again for Food Bank

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Always known for their readiness to respond to people in need during emergencies, members of the CBS Fire Department are also garnering a reputation for being there for those hard-pressed financially at Christmas.
For the third year in a row, the department held its Stuff the Truck Food Drive in support of the CBS/Paradise Community Food Bank.
The food drive, operated out of the main fire hall in Kelligrews, featured a drive-through drop-off system. Many members of the department were present, including Fire Chief John Heffernan, who explained the brigade tries to schedule the event at a time when it will not compete with other food drives.
Heffernan allowed that while food banks are needed all year, at Christmastime they are “probably needed the most.”
The Stuff the Truck Food Drive provides an extra attraction for potential donors who like to bring their children along to see the big trucks.
“We look for any opportunities to engage with the community and with the young kids and that sort of thing,” said the chief. He added the drive-through style of the event also allows the department to maintain its operational posture while still supporting the community.
“The turnout is always fantastic,” said Heffernan. “And that’s one of the good things about having a drive-through event, it doesn’t really matter the weather.”
The department doesn’t set a specific goal of goods or cash, its members just aim to raise as much as possible. “We frame it as ‘Stuff the Fire Truck,’ but we could probably stuff many fire trucks with what we receive,” said Heffernan.
According to the CBS/Paradise Community Food Bank, the most needed items include cereal, rice and noodle Sidekicks, canned beans, teabags, canned fruit, crackers, cookies, and canned tomatoes. The bank is located at 81 Conception Bay Highway, in Manuels, CBS.