First responders donut strike for Manna begins today. Donate food here. : NorthEscambia.com

Local police and fire departments are once again rushing to the rescue, joining forces to fight hunger in the Donut Strike for Manna 2024, which begins today.

Local police and fire departments will go on strike later this month – and join forces again to fight hunger at the 2024 Donut Strike for Manna.

The brave men and women are striking the doughnuts from Wednesday, June 26th to Friday, June 28th to encourage the community to fight local hunger by supporting Manna. They won’t give up until truckloads of nutritious food are donated to the cause.

You can find the donation locations in the graphics below.

Each day of the donut strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties between 3 and 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations.

Food and cash donations to Manna can also be dropped off at their headquarters, 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, any day during the strike week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“As the cost of food and other essentials increases, demand at Manna is even greater than usual during the summer months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna’s executive director. “At the same time, food donations are declining as everyone feels the strain on their budgets. Every day, our first responders see children and families in need – and we are so grateful for their efforts to make a difference.”

The Donut Strike is now in its seventh year and so far the pastry protest has collected over 160,000 healthy meals to help fight hunger in our communities.

Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire District, Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department.

Pictured above: In 2023, donations were collected for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.