GEORGETOWN, Del. – Sussex County is calling on residents to brighten the holidays for families in need through its annual food drive and the 42nd annual Caroling on The Circle. The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in downtown Georgetown, and will coincide with the town’s tree lighting and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade.
Caroling on The Circle combines community celebration with a mission to collect non-perishable food for local pantries, churches, and food banks. Each year, hundreds of residents, along with schools, businesses, and civic groups, participate by singing carols and donating food. The drive begins now and continues through the end of December.
In 2024, Sussex County collected more than 17,000 items, supporting nearly two dozen organizations. This year, the ‘Pack the Pod’ initiative places a 14-foot by 7-foot storage shed at The Circle to gather donations. Since the 1980s, Caroling on The Circle has contributed more than 800,000 items to families in need. County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said the event remains a cornerstone of community support. “This event helps provide staples for deserving families right here in our community,” Lawson said. “We’re counting on our friends and neighbors to show the magic of the holidays through the simple act of giving.”
This year’s program will feature traditional and Spanish carols, with performances by Kevin Short, Ed Shockley, the St. Michael’s Children’s Choir, and the El Centro Cultural group.
Donations can be dropped off at the event, at the County Administrative Offices in Georgetown, or at partner locations including The Home Depot near Lewes and the Bridgeville, Georgetown, and Laurel public libraries. Monetary contributions can also be made online at https://www.fbd.org/caroling
and for more information, you can call (302) 855-7700.
Photo: SussexCountyDe.gov