In this Dec. 3, 2012, photo, Bend residents wait in front of their homes to donate bags of food and toys as part of Bend Fire & Rescue's annual Santa Express. 

Bend Fire Department’s Santa Express will return to the city’s neighborhoods this year from Monday through Dec. 10 to collect food, clothing and toys for The Salvation Army.

Last year the Santa Express collected almost 3,500 pounds of food. When residents hear the fire engine and see Santa, they can bring their donations outside. Along with the Bend Firefighters Association and Bend Fire Department, volunteers will help during the collection. Bend Fire asks that children be careful around the moving fire engines.

Santa Express will visit these neighborhoods on these dates:

Monday

• Yardley Estates

• McCall Landing

• Wishing Well

• Majestic

Tuesday

• Larkspur

• Foxborough

• Sun Meadow

wednesday

• Providence

• Areas north and south of NE Neff Road

Dec. 10

• Skyliner Summit

• NW Crossing

Where else to donate

If Santa Express doesn’t visit your neighborhood, you can drop off toys, nonperishable foods or clothing by Dec. 18 to boxes at:

• Bend Fire stations

• The Salvation Army

• Bend Starbucks locations (other than those inside grocery stores)

More information

The Salvation Army prefers that donated toys are new. Gifts are needed for teenagers as well as children.

If you need help with food or presents for the holidays, call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.

For maps of the neighborhoods Santa Express will collect from, visit http://j.mp/SantaDonations.

— Bulletin staff report