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In an effort to help those in need, CARE4Suffolk held a Can Food Drive event supporting the local Salvation Army in early December.

The local organization collected about 800 cans of food Thursday, Dec. 8, as well as a $400 donation presented to Salvation Army Corps Officer Capt. Angel Simmons. The event also brought together Suffolk locals to celebrate the holidays with hot cocoa and cookies.

During the event, CARE4Suffolk members Ann and Bryan Harris were able to speak about how the food drive started and their overall goals of helping others.

“Well, I think we were inspired by the can food drive they’re doing for the reception on Friday evening. The Mayor and city council reception and just thought maybe we could help contribute in addition to that,” Ann Harris said at the event.

“There’s a shortage I think throughout the community. Lots of food pantries are low in supply, so anything that we can do, the community can do to help stock back up,” Bryan Harris likewise said during the event. “The fact that it’s Christmas is awesome, but just being able to help refill those shelves I think is the top goal. And then, if you look around, the second goal is to fellowship with our neighbors.”

Editor’s note: Updated the second sentence at 11:12 a.m., Friday, Dec. 30 to reflect that the $400 donation was presented to Salvation Army Corps Officer Capt. Angel Simmons.