WFSB Joins Radio Station’s Annual Food Drive

WCTY-FM Norwich Conn., conducted its 14th annual food drive and for the first time it partnered with CBS affiliate WFSB Hartford, Conn. The drive benefits the Thames Valley Council for Community Action Food Drive and Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London, Connecticut.

Along with WCTY’s 36-hour radio broadcast, Kevin Hogan, WFSB New London bureau chief ,was joined by traffic reporter Olessa Stepanova and news reporter Karen Lee. As Hogan provided live newscasts from the parking lot of the Big Y, Stepanova and Lee greeted donors and helped the TVCCA crew organize and stow the donations.

Dave Elder, WCTY program director, credits the WFSB staff with helping to get the word out to a much broader audience. “The turn-out this year was amazing,” he said, “and so humbling. Here are all of these people who have had a really rough week with the hurricane — and may have no power and may have special needs themselves. Yet, they came with carloads of donations and gave freely. I am awed and proud to be of service to the incredible people of Southeastern Connecticut.”

Elder went on to say that this year’s food drive was the most successful so far, due in large part to the generous donation by U.S. Foods of 22,000 pounds of food. In addition to non-perishable items, the effort also collected hundreds of items of warm clothing, coats, flashlights, batteries, blankets, bottles of water and $8,000.00 in cash.

“We want to help the people of Connecticut recover from this storm” said WFSB VP-GM Klarn DePalma. “Our coverage and getting our viewers through the storm was just the beginning. Partnering with Hall Communications is a great way to help our viewers in Southeastern Connecticut.”

WFSB is holding another fundraiser this Friday that will benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The Connecticut Cares fundraiser will be held at three locations from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with all donations being given to the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.