Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Staff report
Salisbury Fire Department officials said Wednesday they still need food and drinks for people manning local stations.
Earlier reports indicated that local residents and businesses had donated or committed enough food to last firefighters, investigators and others working here in the aftermath of the Salisbury Millwork fire that claimed the lives of firefighters Justin Monroe and Victor Isler.
But Tammy File, executive assistant at Salisbury’s Central Fire Station, said “there is still a need for food.
“More people are coming than we expected,” she said.
The department is asking for food of any kind to be brought directly to the Central Fire Station at 514 E. Innes St. Officials said they need enough to last the rest of the week.
The Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross has been coordinating lunch for emergency workers and investigators. Deborah Lineberger, director of emergency services, said Wednesday there’s just no way of telling the numbers of people who’ve shown up.
“They have had such an overwhelming response,” Lineberger said.
The Red Cross is preparing to feed more than 1,000 people after a funeral service for Monroe and Isler Thursday. She explained that the Red Cross has arranged to feed those people.
For more information about dropping off food at the Central Fire Station, call the department 704-638-5351.