BONNYVILLE – Fire truck and Police vehicle lights were flashing outside of Sobeys in Bonnyville as RCMP officers and firefighters congregated nearby, promoting the donation of food items, cash, or grocery gift cards to “Pack the Police Car! Stuff the Squad Car! Cram the Cruiser!” for local food banks.
Bonnyville RCMP S/Sgt. Sarah Parke said the fundraiser is an annual RCMP initiative that has been happening for several years.
“We typically fill two pick-up trucks, and we take one to each local foodbank . . . and the back seats are crammed.”
Parke could be found inside the Sobeys grocery store in a festive hat, and when asked about the response from local shoppers, Parke said, “It’s always so positive. We get holiday wishes, and most people are dropping something off.”
Parke reported that the fundraising efforts were going well, and that once they are done, they will have the opportunity to total the weight of all the food they gathered.
“MD public safety assists us as well. They weigh our trucks empty and then weigh them again once they’re full, so we have an idea of how many kilograms of food we’ve raised,” said Parke.
Santa Claus also joined the fundraiser to help support local families in need this Christmas season and told a Lakeland This Week that despite the Canada Post strike, he is still receiving letters from children.
“I’ve still received all the letters – we have our magical ways of getting those letters. We’ve got the good list and the naughty list, and we know what everyone wants. All is good,” said Claus.
