We held our breath that this Verona tradition would continue despite the pandemic, and we’re happy to report that it will: Santa will tour Verona’s neighborhoods on a Verona Fire Department truck this Sunday, December 13. And once again, Santa will be collecting non-perishable food and supplies to deliver to the food pantry at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit.
There will be some changes to keep everyone safe. Santa and his VFD elves will not be handing out candy canes or dog treats. Santa will also not be stopping for pictures this year, and would like families to just wave from a distance. The VFD will begin rolling around 10 a.m., so be sure to listen for horns and sirens as they approach your street.
As for the food pantry donations, the VFD is asking that they be left in a bag at your curb. You can find the list of what Holy Spirit currently needs here, or pick from this list:
- canned vegetables (not corn or green beans)
- paper towels
- cleaning products such as dish detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, cleanser, window cleaner, etc.
- personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.
- detergent (no bulk sizes)
- macaroni and cheese
- breakfast bars
- boxed milk
- jelly
- ketchup
- mayonnaise
- canned fruit
- canned beans
- juice boxes
- crackers and cookies
- dog and cat food
At this time, the pantry does not need soup, baby items including diapers or adult diapers. The Food Pantry is open on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. but during the pandemic, the church is preparing bags of goods that it hands to clients in their cars.
