Above / The winners of last year’s Firehouse Food Fight from Naperville Fire Station No. 2 kick off this year’s competition with Loaves and Fishes CEO Mike Havala (right) and Vice President of Operations Cary Gilkey (second from left).
The Naperville Fire Department will hold its second annual Firehouse Food Fight between November 1 and December 15. All ten NFD Fire Stations and the Administrative Office Teams will compete against their fellow stations for the most collected food items which will benefit Loaves & Fishes Community Services. This event is presented by the Naperville Professional Firefighters for a Cause in partnership with Local 4302, the Naperville Fire Department and the Rotary Clubs of Naperville.
A new feature this year is the fire stations’ ability to recruit community partners as secondary food collection sites as well as the inclusion of a winter clothing drive. The winter clothing drive is part of a partnership with the the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise in benefit of Hesed House, Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans and Sharing Connections.
Each station or administrative office will calculate their donations based on a point system, and vie to win out over their competing stations. Prizes include a year’s worth of bragging rights and a Best Buy gift card, as well as a catered lunch and a catered dinner provided by Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House.
Last year’s first annual Firehouse Food Fight collected more than 6,000 food items, equaling 4,280 pounds of food to go toward the mission of Loaves and Fishes. This year the crews are aiming to grow the food collection by 50 percent, recruit 12 community partner food collection sites and collect more than 100 coats.
Naperville Professional Firefighters for a Cause
The Naperville Professional Firefighters for a Cause is a 501c.3 non-profit organization that was born from the desire of the brothers and sisters of the Naperville Professional Firefighters Local 4302 to do something more for the community they serve. The mission of the NPFFC is to seek out reputable organizations and charitable efforts that are serving the greater good in the Naperville community. We strive to serve in partnership with these organizations in their respective missions.
Previous beneficiaries have included St. Baldrick’s, Camp I Am Me Burn Camp, MDA, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, Naperville Responds for our Veterans and Loaves & Fishes.
Loaves and Fishes Community Services
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that has served our community since 1984. Our mission is to end hunger and transform lives. We provide food and leadership in the community by working together and mobilizing resources to help our clients become more self-sufficient and create their own bright future stories.
Visit www.loaves-fishes.org for more information.
Story and photo submitted by Michelle Iskowitz for Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
Editor’s Note / When invited to participate in one of the local food drives to benefit Loaves & Fishes, please note the following most needed nonperishable items that will help fill the shelves. Thanks.
Top 10 Items for Loaves & Fishes
- Diapers Size 3, 4, or 5
- Similac or Enfamil Baby Formula (powdered)
- Pasta sauces
- Dry Pasta
- Canned Food (Pineapple and Mandarin Oranges)
- Dried Fruit
- Regular and Instant Oatmeal
- Whole Grain Cereals
- Low Salt Vegetables
- Grains and Brown Rice
