Santa Claus came early this year to FOOD Share, courtesy of Ventura City Firefighters and Trader Joe's. Food donated by the popular local market and firefighters was delivered to the steps of Ventura's City Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Santa left his reindeer at home and instead hitched a ride on a city fire truck to lend his assistance to the effort.

The collection was organized by the firefighters, who pulled up in front of City Hall with red tubs filled with edibles for Ventura County's only regional food bank, FOOD Share. The non-profit agency feeds 38,000 monthly through 240 charities.