Sussex County begins food drive for 42nd annual Caroling on The Circle campaign

Georgetown, Del., Nov. 3, 2025: Sussex County is counting on the community's generosity - and those extra cans in the cupboard - to break the circle of hunger and make the holidays a bit brighter for families in need.

This week, the County government kicks off its yearly food drive for community food banks and will celebrate that effort during the 42^nd annual Caroling on The Circle event, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 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 2024, the food drive collected more than 17,000 items for nearly two dozen organizations. County officials aim to collect as many or more in 2025, 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 800,000 items for local food pantries and families in need in Sussex County. County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said Caroling on The Circle, after more than four decades, is a gift that keeps on giving.

"Caroling on The Circle is more than a night on the holiday events calendar. It's a mainstay that helps to provide the staples for deserving families right here in our community," Mr. Lawson said. "We're counting on our friends and neighbors to once again step up and show the magic of the holidays through the simple act of giving."

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, as well as performances by the St. Michael's Children's Choir and El Centro Cultural group.

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 The Home Depot near Lewes, as well as the Bridgeville, Georgetown, and Laurel 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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