Georgetown, Del., Dec. 6, 2010: Words of good cheer from everywhere are doing more than filling the air this holiday season. They’re helping to fill the closets and cupboards of Sussex County’s food pantries – and those in need.

Hundreds of carolers sang in the holiday season during the 27th annual Caroling on The Circle event Monday night, singing traditional Christmas and Spanish carols and, along the way, doing their part to help collect more than 19,000 canned goods and other non-perishable food items for the less fortunate of the community.

The event each year kicks off the holiday season for Sussex County, while serving as a community food drive to benefit local pantries. Started in 1984 as part of the Delaware First initiative, Caroling on The Circle continues to cheer hearts and help those in need more than two decades later. To date, the community has donated more than 550,000 canned goods through the Caroling on The Circle program.

Monday night’s Caroling event, along with collections from Sussex County Council, County employees, numerous schools, groups and businesses, helped push this year’s preliminary total to 19,303 items, short of the more than 24,000 items collected last year. The collection effort will continue throughout this month to boost the totals.

“We know the economy continues to be difficult for so many people, and that’s why this food drive is as important as it ever has been,” County Administrator David B. Baker said. “Once again, Sussex Countians have found canned goods in their cupboards and generosity in their hearts to make this holiday special for someone less fortunate. We’re thankful for any amount we collect, and we thank all the residents, schools, businesses and organizations who continue to support us.”

Mr. Baker said because the need in the community continues to stretch local food pantry programs, the County will again extend its collection effort through the end of the month in order to reach a minimum of 20,000 items collected. The public can continue to drop off canned goods and non-perishable food items between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the County Administrative Offices building on The Circle, the West Complex offices on U.S. 113, and at the Sussex County Airport terminal, all in Georgetown.

Mr. Baker thanked the public and those in attendance at Monday night’s event, and acknowledged several participating groups. Those included County Council, County employees, Steve Class/Colonial East, the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association, First State Manufactured Housing Association, Fuqua, Yori & Willard, Harley Davidson of Seaford, PATS Aircraft, Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Beacon Middle, Georgetown Elementary, Georgetown Middle, H.O. Brittingham Elementary, Howard T. Ennis, Millsboro Middle, Milton Elementary, North Georgetown Elementary, and Seaford Middle schools, the Southern Delaware School of the Arts, and the Sussex Technical High School student council.

Items collected will be donated to approximately a half dozen area pantries, shelters and church organizations for distribution within Sussex County.

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