CORNWALL, Ontario – The SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit 2015 ‘Stuff a Cruiser’ food drive netted 5,000 pounds of edibles and $3,368 for three local charities.
The impressive haul was collected in five hours in various locations across the United Counties on Saturday (Nov. 14). The food drive filled up several police cruisers with the support of generous shoppers.
Auxiliary OPP officers and volunteers collected 2,000 pounds and $200 at the Foodland grocery store in Ingleside to help fill the shelves at Agape Centre in Cornwall.
“All of this food will be given away in our food bank,” said Kendra Smith, Agape Centre volunteer coordinator. “I love that one bin is almost full of perishable foods like potatoes, cheese, bread, and apples. People love getting fresh food in their food bank bags, and it’s so good to see people in our community recognizing the importance of fresh food donations.”
Josh Timmers, co-owner of Foodland in Ingleside, added: “It’s great to see everyone come together. I want to help people that need a hand at this time of year -or any time of year, really.”
In addition, a total of 2,000 pounds and $1,660 was collected at the Foodland in Winchester and Iroquois, as well as the Morrisburg Valu-Mart, for the Dundas County Food Bank. And a total of 1,000 pounds and $1,508 was raised at Chartrand Your Independent for the St-Vincent de Paul Society in Alexandria, serving Glengarry County.
“Our SD&G OPP Auxiliary members are very proud to volunteer their time, knowing that doing this food drive is helping families in need,” said Alan Jodoin, SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit commander and ‘Stuff a Cruiser’ organizer for the past five years.