PORT ANGELES — The fire department’s 1956 Seagrave fire engine has been strewn with holiday lights and is ready for the beginning of the annual Operation Candy Cane on Saturday.
Volunteer firefighters will hand out candy canes and collect donations for the Port Angeles Food Bank for six nights beginning Saturday.
Each night through Thursday, firefighters — all of whom volunteer for the seasonal journeys — will travel through the streets of a different neighborhood in Port Angeles with their siren blaring.
Accompanied by Santa Claus, the firefighters will hand out candy canes and collect cans of food or donations of cash for the food bank.
In 2013, the firefighters collected 7,090 pounds of nonperishable food items and $2,252.94 in cash.
Since 1986, the firefighters have collected 257,723 pounds of food and $50,698.40 in cash, they reported.
The record amount of food — 13,769 items — was collected in 2011. The record amount of money — $3,396 — was donated in 2008.
Operation Candy Cane will begin at 5:30 each night and continue until the truck has reached the end of its route.
■ Saturday — West of I Street and M Street.
■ Sunday — I and L streets to C Street.
■ Monday — C Street to Lincoln Street, north of Lauridsen Boulevard.
■ Tuesday — Chase to Chambers Street, north of Lauridsen Boulevard.
■ Wednesday — Jones Street to Golf Course Road.
■ Thursday — Above Lauridsen Boulevard.
