The following is a press release from South King Fire and Rescue:

This holiday season, South King Fire and Rescue (SKFR) firefighters partnered with the City of Federal Way and We Love Our City to collect over 1,200 pounds of shelf-stable food items for donation to the Federal Way Senior Center Food Bank.

Fire department crews, alongside volunteers from the city and community organizations, spent every Friday and Saturday evening in December cruising the streets of Des Moines and Federal Way as part of the third annual SKFR Santa Parades.

During the parades, residents of Des Moines, Federal Way and unincorporated south King County donated various food items, which were collected en route by volunteers from the city and from the Zone 3 Fire Cadets program.

Food donations were also accepted at the first-ever SKFR Santa at the fire station event held on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Station 68.

In total, the City of Federal Way volunteers gathered approximately 565 pounds of food. Another 669 pounds of donations were delivered to the food bank on Monday, Dec. 19, by SKFR Engine 361.

The Federal Way Senior Center Food Bank is dedicated to relieving hunger for all ages in our diverse community. The food bank also distributes food through a variety of partner agencies and other channels in the area.

Open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday mornings, the food bank serves as many as 150 families per week at the facility located at 4016 S. 352nd St. in Auburn.

In addition to the food donations, South King Fire & Rescue collected hundreds of new, unwrapped toys at eight fire stations during December. These toys were distributed at the Federal Way Cares for Kids event at Grace Church, the holiday party for students at Rainier View Elementary School, to military families in the community, and to many others in need of just a little extra help this holiday season.

The overwhelming generosity of the residents of Federal Way, Des Moines, and unincorporated south King County, along with an amazing collaboration of efforts by many churches, schools, businesses, non-profits, and individuals, have allowed South King Fire and Rescue to help spread an incredible amount of holiday joy.

SKFR and our community partners are beyond grateful to everyone who donated, collected, sorted, transported, organized, and distributed both toys and food. Many people in our communities will have a merrier Christmas and holiday season because of you!

Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

All paws on deck to make sure the SKFR Santa Parades go smoothly. Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

Community members gather to see Santa and Mrs. Claus during a December Santa Parade. Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

SKFR Assistant Chief Kevin Crossen pleads his case to Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to end up on the nice list this year at the first-ever SKFR Santa event held on Sunday, Dec. 18. Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

Volunteers from South King Fire and Rescue, the City of Federal Way and We Love Our City gathered at the Federal Way Cares for Kids event at Grace Church in Federal Way. Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue