THUNDER BAY – Local police services will join forces with Thunder Bay grocery stores on Saturday to help stock the shelves of the Regional Food Distribution Association.
OPP provincial Staff Sgt. Diana Cole said she’s hopeful this year’s Stuff a Cruiser event, the fifth annual, will collect even more non-perishable donations than last year’s event, which saw more than seven tonnes of food and several thousand dollars collected.
Cole on Thursday said this year’s event will be held at four locations around the city, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with drop-off locations at Superstore, Metro and Safeway locations on Arthur Street and the Memorial Avenue Wal-Mart.
It’s the right cause at the right time of year, she said.
“RFDA provides food not only for the citizens and people of Thunder Bay, but also for numerous communities in the Northwest region,” she said.
“That’s a huge benefit to so many people. And we want everyone to have food on their table over this holiday season and beyond into the winter months as well.”
The RFDA’s Bredan Carlin said they’re looking for all types of non-perishable goods, from pasta and peanut butter to canned goods and cereal.
Toiletries are also welcome donations, he added.
“The need is huge all year long, but especially at this time of year because the need is so great. People have so many more responsibilities this time of year, buying gifts and having family over. So food is at a premium and we really want to be able to provide that to the people who need it,” Carlin said.
To sweeten the pot, Safeway is providing a few incentives to encourage its customers to donate.
Arthur Street location manger Gord Hampton said customers can purchase Harvest Packs of food for $5 or $10, a handy way to take part in the Stuff a Cruiser event.
“This year we’re also offering for every donation, a $1 donation from Safeway to match it,” Hampton said.
As an added bonus, anyone making a donation will receive five bonus Air Miles.
