Hundreds of local families will celebrate the holidays with help from one of Westerville’s best-known seasonal traditions. The annual Rotary/W.A.R.M. holiday food drive, now in its ninth year, collects canned and dry boxed food items and household supplies for clients of the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M.).
For this combined effort of Westerville’s Sunrise and Noon Rotary Clubs, Otterbein University’s Rotaract Club, and local high school Interact Clubs, drive organizers anticipate collecting more than 12 tons of food along with cash donations.
Volunteers will attend the City of Westerville’s Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 6 to begin the collection. Bags for donations will be dropped at homes throughout the city the morning of Dec. 7. Residents can fill them with non-perishable food items such as canned fruit, tuna, peanut butter, juice, hot chocolate and instant oatmeal. Other household items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and bandages also will be gratefully accepted.
Donations left on porches in the bags will be picked up the morning of Dec. 14. Residents also may drop off donations at the Schrock Road and Maxtown Road Kroger stores, or at the W.A.R.M. central office at 175 E. Broadway Ave.
Businesses are invited to participate in the drive. Upright cartons donated by Kroger will be provided and can be picked up upon request. Businesses interested in participating can contact W.A.R.M. at 614-899-0196.
This community-wide event is supported by Kroger, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Westerville Parks & Recreation Department.
