Sussex County begins food drive for 41st annual Caroling on The Circle campaign

Georgetown, Del., Nov. 1, 2024: Sussex County is hoping to dish up an extra helping of meals - and hope - for families in need this holiday season.

The County government this week kicks off its yearly food drive for community food banks and will celebrate that effort during the 41^st annual Caroling on The Circle event, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in downtown Georgetown. After an inaugural pairing in 2023, Caroling on The Circle once again will serve as the lead-in to the Town of Georgetown's tree lighting and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas parade, giving spectators and participants nearly three full hours of holiday cheer and community fun all on one night.

Each year, the community singing event doubles as a food drive for hungry families in Sussex County, drawing hundreds of residents - along with the support of area schools, businesses and civic organizations - who turn out to sing Christmas carols and collect canned goods for area pantries, churches and food banks.

The food drive begins now and runs through the end of December.

In 2023, the food drive collected more than 18,000 items for more than a dozen-and-a-half organizations. County officials aim to collect as many or more in 2024, teaming up with the Chamber and others - including, new this year, the Food Bank of Delaware - to encourage the community to do its part to 'Pack the Pod', a 14-foot by 7-foot portable storage shed that will be set up at The Circle and stocked with food items for local pantries.

Since its inception in the 1980s, Caroling on The Circle has raised approximately 800,000 items for local food pantries and families in need in Sussex County.

County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said, like the annual parade, Caroling on The Circle is a fixture on the holiday calendar, and having both back together again this year makes it easier for busy, on-the-go families to enjoy the celebration. Additionally, the County hopes a new partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware to help with food distribution, as well as add an online giving component, will boost the overall effort to benefit households in need.

"Last year was a resounding success, and we want to continue to ride that energy and excitement that we felt with Caroling and the parade happening all on one night," Mr. Lawson said. "It really amped up the holiday spirit. And by working with our friends at the Food Bank, whose mission is to feed those in need in Sussex County and across the First State, we're looking to continue Caroling's success this year and in the years to come."

As always, the historic Sussex County Courthouse and picturesque Circle will serve as the backdrop for an evening of traditional and Spanish carols. WBOC-TV on-air personalities Jimmy Hoppa and Jason Lee will emcee this year's festivities, which will feature local singing artists Kevin Short and Ed Shockley, as well as performances by the St. Michael's Children's Choir and El Centro Cultural group.

All of the evening's events are free to attend; participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for donation during Caroling on The Circle.

Food items will be collected that night at the pod on The Circle, but donations can be dropped off from now until the end of December at the County Administrative Offices building, next to the courthouse, in Georgetown. Receptacles will be available outside the County complex, allowing the public to make drop-offs 24 hours a day throughout the holiday season. Staff will routinely collect items and 'Pack the Pod' before items are then distributed to pantries.

Additionally, the public can drop off items at the Food Bank of Delaware's partner location, the Home Depot off Coastal Highway near Lewes, or make a monetary donation online, with every dollar leveraging food that will stay in Sussex County. Visit https://give.fbd.org/caroling to make a dollar contribution anytime throughout the campaign.

For more information about Caroling on The Circle and the 'Pack the Pod' food drive, call (302) 855-7700.

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