St. Johns County residents can help stock 14 local food pantries by dropping off nonperishable donations Friday, Nov. 6, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.

SJC Cultural Events Inc., the nonprofit that manages both venues, will hold its annual Rock the Pantries food drive from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Action News JAX reported. Donors can pull into the main parking lots at either location, where staff will collect items. Anyone who brings a donation can enter to win a merchandise pack featuring items from both venues.

Demand for food assistance has surged. Sunny Mulford, executive director of Epic-Cure, one of the 14 beneficiary organizations, said more than 3,700 families who had never previously sought help came through the organization's doors in 2026. Mulford told the St. Augustine Record that distribution sites are seeing a 100% increase in attendance from people in need.

"2026 has brought more families to Epic-Cure than we have ever seen before. … Rock the Pantries is a chance for our community to come together and lighten that load," Mulford said.

Last year's drive collected more than 31,000 pounds of food, according to Gabe Pellicer, CEO and president of SJC Cultural Events. Pellicer said the goal is to surpass that total and reach more families before the holidays.

The 14 pantries receiving donations include Epic-Cure, St. Johns Food Pantry, Pie in the Sky Community Alliance, Betty Griffin House, the Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County and St. Francis House. The full list of all 14 organizations has not been published.

Organizers are asking for peanut butter, canned soup or stew, canned or dried fruit and applesauce, canned beans and vegetables, cooking oils, canned tuna, salmon, ham or chicken, pasta, rice or instant potatoes, granola bars, nuts, crackers and boxed cereal or meals. Items in glass or cellophane packaging, expired food, baked goods and anything requiring refrigeration cannot be accepted.

Residents, businesses and community groups can find event details at www.theamp.com/events/detail/rock-the-pantries-2026/ and www.pvconcerthall.com/events/detail/rock-the-pantries-2026/.

Upcoming community events

• Friday, Nov. 6: Rock the Pantries food drive, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Nonperishable food donations accepted at both parking lots.