Contactless COVID E.L.F. Drive set for next week

Havre firefighters are getting ready to take to the streets next week for their annual Everybody Loves Firefighters Food Drive for the Havre Food Bank, with some adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Havre Firefighters Local 601 Vice President and head E.L.F. Cody McLain said COVID will change the look of the drive this year.

The major changes, he said, they will not be able to have volunteers help, and they will not be able to knock on people’s doors. 

“We will be operating a contactless E.L.F drive,” he said.

In the past, they have divided the city into two sections and complete the drive in two nights, he said, using volunteers to go to doors and pick up donations.

McLain said that, this year, they will be dividing the city into four sections and completing the drive over a four-evening period. 

People interested in donating food to the Havre Food Bank can leave food on their porches or sidewalks with lights on between 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the following areas:

Monday, Oct. 19 — East of Fifth Avenue and north of Ninth Street.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 — West of Fifth Avenue and south of 10th Street.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 — Highland Park — everything west of Montana Avenue

Thursday, Oct. 22 — South of 10th Street and east of Montana Avenue.

“With the COVID E.L.F. drive, people will have to be more prepared for us to come by than in previous years to have a successful food drive,” McLain said.  “We will have to rely on residents to place food outside their homes, since we will be unable to go door to door.”

People may also deliver their food to the Havre Food Bank, which is located at  453 Seventh Ave. N., during business hours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

McLain said firefighters will be driving around with lights and sirens on to remind residents of the food drive. 

People need to have their food ready when emergency vehicles are in the area, he said, and to set their food out for a contactless pickup.

The ELF Drive has been going on for decades, he said, adding that this year will be his 15th year involved. 

  “Our hope is to help make sure people in the community do not go hungry,” McLain said. “We have the food drive this time of year to help the food bank stalk up for the upcoming holidays.

“It’s awesome seeing the community’s support and generosity,” he added.