In honor of National Public Works Week, the Essex Public Works Department is hosting its first Fill a Public Works Truck food drive through Saturday, May 26 that aims to help put an end to hunger. The goal of this event is to fill a public works truck with non-perishable goods that will be donated to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.

Public Works Director Ryan Welch, the organizer of the event, coordinated the town’s efforts with a New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association drive.

“It’s to raise awareness about public works and stand behind the community and gather food for a local food bank,” Welch said.

The items will be collected throughout Public Works Week, which began May 20 and will end on May 26. Most-needed items include jellies, jams, soups, cereals, and pasta sauce in jars.

Donations can be dropped off at the Essex Town Hall, Essex Library, Ivoryton Library, Essex Elementary School, or the Essex Transfer Station. There will also be a public works truck at the Essex Town Dump from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 26 for any last minute contributions.

As this is the department’s first food drive, organizers are unsure how much will be collected.

“We don’t know what to expect,” Welch said. “I would like to fill one of our smaller trucks…probably 20 to 25 boxes of food.”