Sussex County begins food drive for 43rd annual Caroling on The Circle campaign

Georgetown, Del., Nov. 2, 2026: Sussex Countians will soon sing in the holidays, not just to celebrate the season, but to nourish the spirits and hearts of those less fortunate in our community.

County government on Nov. 2 announced the start of its annual campaign to support community food banks while celebrating the holidays, with the 43^rd annual Caroling on The Circle event set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in downtown Georgetown. As in recent years, Caroling on The Circle will serve as the lead-in to the Town of Georgetown's tree lighting and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas parade, giving spectators and participants nearly three full hours of holiday cheer and community fun all on one night.

Each year, the community singing event doubles as a food drive for hungry families in Sussex County, drawing hundreds of residents - along with the support of area schools, businesses and civic organizations - who turn out to sing Christmas carols and collect canned goods for area pantries, churches and food banks.

The food drive begins now and runs through the end of December.

In 2025, the food drive collected more than 26,250 items for nearly two dozen organizations. County officials aim to collect as much this year, teaming up with the Chamber, the Food Bank of Delaware, and others to encourage the community to do its part to 'Pack the Pod', a 14-foot by 7-foot portable storage shed that will be set up at The Circle and stocked with food items for local pantries.

Since its inception in the 1980s, Caroling on The Circle has raised more than 825,000 items for local food pantries and families in need in Sussex County. County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said the effort is as much a staple on the calendar as canned goods in the cupboard.

"After 42 years, Caroling on The Circle is a fixture in our community. People look forward to this, and not just because it's a heart-warming way to enjoy a December evening that celebrates the holidays, but also because it's a tangible way to work together and make a difference for our neighbors in need," Mr. Lawson said. "This is the season of giving, and Sussex County shows time and again what a giving spirit our residents truly have."

As always, the historic Sussex County Courthouse and picturesque Circle will serve as the backdrop for an evening of traditional and Spanish carols. WBOC-TV on-air personality Jason Lee will emcee this year's Caroling event, which will feature local singing artists Kevin Short and Ed Shockley, along with performances by the El Centro Cultural group, as well as the Georgetown Middle School and St. Michael's Children's choirs.

All of the evening's events are free to attend; participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for donation during Caroling on The Circle.

Food items will be collected that night at the pod on The Circle, but donations can be dropped off from now until the end of December at the County Administrative Offices building, next to the courthouse, in Georgetown. Receptacles will be available outside the County complex, allowing the public to make drop-offs 24 hours a day throughout the holiday season. Staff will routinely collect items and 'Pack the Pod' before items are then distributed to pantries.

Additionally, the public can drop off items at the Food Bank of Delaware's partner locations, including all Food Lion grocery stores throughout Sussex County, as well as the Bridgeville, Georgetown, and Lewes public libraries, or make a monetary donation online, with every dollar leveraging food that will stay in Sussex County. Visit https://www.fbd.org/caroling to make a dollar contribution anytime throughout the campaign.

For more information about Caroling on The Circle and the 'Pack the Pod' food drive, call (302) 855-7700.

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