Beginning Wednesday, Rowan County Food Lion stores will collect donations for the families of the firefighters lost or injured in the Friday morning fire at Salisbury Millwork.
Donations will be accepted through March 25. Canisters will be placed at the registers of the nine participating stores.
All funds will be distributed to the families through a partnership with the American Red Cross.
On the day of the fire, associates at the Food Lion at 251 Faith Road assembled and delivered 80 lunches to firefighters at the Central Fire Station on East Innes Street, while associates at the distribution center on Harrison Road contributed snacks and water.
In addition to fundraising and food donations, the transportation department at Food Lion will provide a shuttle bus and driver to transport friends and family of deceased firefighter Justin Monroe to and from the viewing and memorial services this week.
Donations can be made at any of the following Food Lion stores:
– 503 Highway 29 S., China Grove.
– 1460 S. Main St., China Grove.
– 2825-B N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis.
– 968 Main St., Rockwell.
– 2104 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury.
– 251 Faith Road, Salisbury.
– 123 Mahaley Ave., Salisbury.
– 252 Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury.
– 315 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer.
“We are mourning this loss with the city of Salisbury and Rowan County,” said Kyna Foster, Food Lion’s director of community affairs and customer relations.
“Our associates and families have been touched by this tragedy, and we want to do everything we can to help our neighbors in need during this difficult time, Foster continued.
Food Lion also will sponsor the “Out Like a Lion” criterium bicycle race at Salisbury City Park on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event benefits the Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross in Rowan County.
“Our local Red Cross has played an important role in responding to the needs of the community, not only in this tragedy, but throughout the year,” Foster said.
We invite the community to show its support of the Red Cross by coming out this Sunday to the bike race,” said Foster.
The Red Cross will have a tent at the race where the community can learn about the services provided by the Red Cross and make donations.