Pickle drop prep: New Year's Eve in Mount Olive
By Staff Reports
Published in News on December 30, 2008 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
Pete Evrard, who works in the maintenance department at Mt. Olive Pickle Co., readies the giant pickle for its New Year's Eve performance. Hundreds are expected to attend the annual event to ring in the new year.
MOUNT OLIVE -- People will have the opportunity Wednesday not only to greet the New Year early, but to help those in need as well.
The Mt. Olive Pickle Co. is once again teaming up with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina during the 2008 New Year's Eve Pickle Drop at the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets.
The festivities start at 6 p.m. and the New Year's Eve pickle will descend the company's flagpole at the stroke of 7 p.m. -- that's 7 o'clock EST, which also happens to be midnight Greenwich Mean Time.
Those attending the 10th annual event are asked to bring at least two canned food items for the Food Bank. In exchange, they will receive a chance to win door prizes from the Mt. Olive Pickle Co.'s gift shop. The grand prize is an inflatable pool pickle similar to the one that is used to usher in the New Year.
"Last year we collected over a half ton of food -- enough to provide 1,000 meals for people in need," said spokesman Lynn Williams. "This year, we'd like to see if we can collect at least a ton."
Food Bank items most needed include (no glass is requested):
*Canned meals: stews, soups, tuna, ravioli, etc. Pop-top cans are a "plus," Mrs. Williams said.
*Canned fruits and vegetables.
*Rice.
*Cereal.
*Paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
*Hygiene items: toothpaste, shaving items, soap, etc.
*Diapers.
*Infant formula. (No loose glass and plastic jars of baby food as they will have to be discarded because of health regulations, Mrs. Williams said.)
For more information about the Mt. Olive Pickle Co.'s New Year's Eve Pickle Drop or to find directions, visit the company's website at www.mtolivepickles.com and click on the News Stand.
For more information, call Mrs. Williams at 919-581-3628 or Christy Simmons, manager of public relations for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, at 919-865-3050, by e-mail at [email protected] or visit the Web site at www.foodbankcenc.org.