Going To St. Patrick’s Day Parade? Don’t Forget…

Utica, NY (WIBX) - If you're heading down to Genesee Street on Saturday to take in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, you're asked to bring a non-perishable food item.

For the third year, a "Remembering the Irish Famine Food Drive" is being is being conducted as part of the parade festivities. All food collected will be donated to Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church in Utica.

Volunteers will be collecting the food along the parade route in wheelbarrows and boxes, said food drive chairperson Chris Hoke.

Also, spectators can make financial contributions to the soup kitchen, Hoke said.

Over the last two years the food drive has collected almost $1,000 and 1,000 pounds of food, organizers say.

Utica Police are also reminding parade watchers that no coolers, back packs, bottles or cans will be allowed along the parade route or on Varick Street.