Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty is holding a holiday food drive to help Emmaus House through Dec. 18.

Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty office at 17 West Charlton St. on Madison Square.

Suggested nonperishable food items are canned meat, fish and vegetables; canned and dried fruit; 100 percent fruit juices; dried pasta; dried and canned beans; canned soups and spaghetti sauces; peanut butter and jelly; and mustard, ketchup, syrup, tea bags, coffee and cereal.  Toiletry items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste are also very much appreciated.

“It's so important for all of us to help our neighbors in need,” said Celia Dunn of Celia Dunn Sotheby's International Realty. “My parents taught me how rewarding it is to volunteer and make our community stronger. Helping others is one of the true joys in life.”

Emmaus House provides food and day services to the homeless and needy of Savannah. It is located in the Parish House of Christ Church Episcopal at the corner of Bryan and Abercorn Streets. Breakfast is served at 8:30a.m. Monday through Friday, fifty weeks each year. Day services include washer and dryer, shower and rest room facilities so they also need laundry detergent, paper towels and toilet paper.

“There are a lot of hungry people in our community,” said David Acuff, executive director of Emmaus House. “Everybody’s stomach growls — that’s a common denominator.”

“These nonperishable things are a real help for us -- we always go through it,” Acuff said. The nonperishables help give a foundation that Acuff adds to with donations of leftover prepared foods given by civic groups, banquets, etc. A federal law, like a good Samaritan law for food, protects the donors from liability. The chef jokes that it’s like Santa Claus since often Acuff has gotten a donation of leftovers that she works into the meal.  

“We have an incredible chef who is so creative,” Acuff said. “She sees the meal in the ingredients. It’s a gift and she’s great.”