THUNDER BAY – A growing need in the community has put strains on food banks as they prepare for the holiday season.
That’s where a special call for help comes in handy.
Local police agencies partnered together on Saturday to host the city’s third annual Stuff a Cruiser event, a one-day food drive to benefit the Regional Food Distribution Association.
Officers with the OPP, RCMP, Thunder Bay Police Service and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, CN Police and CP Police combined to set up vehicles outside the Real Canadian Superstore, Wal-Mart on Memorial Avenue and Metro Locations on Arthur Street and River Street.
RFDA executive director Volker Kromm said the drive is on track to raise more than 10,000 pounds of donated food.
“The timing is perfect because at this time of year we’re in the process of finishing off the hampers and stocking the shelves for the food banks. This gives what we need to finish it off,” he said.
“Without this there would be a lot of meagre hampers.”
OPP Special Const. Diana Cole said it’s important to the officers to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.
“We want to give back to our communities. This is a perfect time to support our communities and help those in need at this time of year,” Cole said.
“With the amount of food we gathered last year we were able to help families in need into the winter months as well.”
More than 50 officers across the numerous agencies volunteered their weekend afternoon to help make a difference.
“This year we had more volunteers with officers from across the police services than we’ve ever had,” she said. “It’s an overwhelming success.
Kromm said watching the officers greet people entering the stores, particularly children, shows why it is such a successful event.
“You’ll see quite a lot of interaction between the police officers and community shoppers. The excitement level is quite high. I love this food drive,” he said.
