The Bend Fire Department’s Santa Express food and clothing drive returns to Bend this week, visiting neighborhoods throughout town from Monday, December 3 through Thursday, December 6. The BFD has been doing this for awhile now, in conjunction with The Salvation Army, and last year collected nearly 3,000 pounds of food along with clothing and toys.

Here are the details:

The Bend Firefighters Association and Bend Fire Department are working with the Salvation Army to collect non-perishable food items, clothing, and toys (new toys are preferred) for families in need in the Bend and Central Oregon area. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to listen for the fire engine and Santa and to bring donations to the street for collection. There will be many volunteers walking along with Santa and the engines to collect the donated items. Please advise children to use caution around the moving fire vehicles.

The Santa Express schedule is as follows:

• Monday, December 3: Terrango Glen and Lava Ridges
• Tuesday, December 4: Larkspur, Foxborough and Sun Meadow
• Wednesday, December 5: Northwest Crossing
• Thursday, December 6: Providence, areas North and South of Neff Road.

There are maps at the link as well showing the planned routes that Santa and the fire engine will take. There is no set schedule posted but it will take place in the evenings.

If they don’t come through your neighborhood, but you still want to donate, you can drop off any donations at the boxes located at:

• Any Bend Fire Department fire station
• Salvation Army Headquaters – 515 NE Dekalb Ave.
• Firkus Plumbing – 558 SE Glenwood Drive