Wellington residents have until Friday, November 13, 2026, to contribute to the Village's annual holiday food drive.

The collection is already underway, giving households time to add a few requested pantry items to an ordinary shopping trip.

Wellington is partnering with Wellington Regional Medical Center on the food drive, with donations intended for local families in need.

The most useful contribution starts with checking what organizers have asked for and choosing a drop-off location you can reach before the deadline.

What food donations are requested?

The Village's holiday food drive page lists boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, cornbread mix, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy.

Suggested vegetables include green beans, peas, corn and sweet potatoes.

Contributions should be nonperishable, unopened and unexpired.

Check each package before placing it in a donation bag rather than assuming an item at the back of a cupboard is still suitable.

Choosing from the requested list helps keep the collection focused on the meal items organizers are seeking.

You do not need to purchase every category to take part.

Decide what fits your budget, then choose sealed products you can deliver in good condition.

If you are uncertain whether an unlisted item is appropriate, ask the organizer before including it.

This can also be a practical family activity.

Children can help read the list, compare package dates and sort the groceries with an adult.

Keep the conversation focused on helping neighbors and respecting people's privacy.

There is no need to speculate about who will receive the food or why a particular household may need support.

Where can residents drop off donations?

The Village identifies several collection locations, making it possible to combine a donation with another local errand.

Village Hall is at 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard, Village Park is at 11700 Pierson Road and the Wellington Community Center is at 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard.

The Wellington Tennis Center, at 3100 Lyons Road, is also listed.

Confirm the receiving location's current access hours before setting off, especially if you intend to arrive near closing.

Can you donate during Thursday Nights?

Thursday Nights in Wellington at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Boulevard, is another listed collection opportunity.

If you are already attending an evening there, pack your donation separately from anything you plan to use during the outing.

Check the current event status and ask where the collection point is when you arrive.

Do not leave groceries outside a closed building or assume that every entrance has a donation container.

For a larger household or neighborhood collection, agree on who will check the packages, transport the items and confirm delivery.

Set an internal collection date ahead of November 13 so a missed errand does not become a missed deadline.

A modest collection with a clear delivery plan is easier to manage than an open-ended request without a person responsible for taking it in.

How can residents request assistance?

Wellington residents seeking holiday assistance should contact the Wellington Community Center at 561-753-2484.

The Village's announcement provides that number for more information, but it does not spell out every eligibility, registration or distribution detail.

Call directly rather than relying on a neighbor's experience from a previous year.

Avoid promising a specific benefit or appointment until staff have confirmed the arrangements.

The separate holiday toy drive has a later deadline, December 11, and asks for new, unwrapped toys.

Keep the two collections distinct when sharing information with friends or organizing a group donation.

A later toy deadline does not extend the November food deadline.

The Village's combined announcement explains the separate drives and their partners.

Before donating, revisit the official holiday food drive page for changes to requested items or locations.

Make the final check simple: unopened packages, current dates and a confirmed place to deliver them.

Then choose a day to follow through.

Small contributions become useful when they reach the collection within the announced period.