Battlefords RCMP are taking donations for the food bank this Saturday. (File photo/Battlefords RCMP)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Holiday help

Battlefords RCMP hosting “Stuff the Cruiser” food drive

Dec 8, 2021 | 3:57 PM

The Battlefords RCMP detachment is taking donations for the District Food and Resource Centre this Saturday.

Officers are facilitating “Stuff the Cruiser”, a brief food drive for the centre to take in donations of non-perishable food items. Sgt. Neil Tremblay told battlefordsNOW that officers will be on site from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the parking lots of Discovery Co-op and Sobeys.

“There will be a marked police vehicle with a couple members for anyone who wants to make donations at both grocery stores participating,” he said.

Tremblay said the detachment decided to help out the centre during its busiest time of the year. Between supply chain shortages, price spikes and the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many people in need.

“It’s a difficult time for some, between trying to come up with a meaningful Christmas for people with children and the challenges associated with getting proper food,” he said. “We’re just trying to bring a little awareness to that and hopefully we can help out.”

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Pre-packaged hampers will also be available for purchase. This is taking place a week prior to Community Safety Officers running their own drive for the Humane Society, which take place at the Walmart and No Frills parking lots on Dec. 17.

Food and Resource Centre executive director Erin Katerynych thanked the RCMP and the community in North Battleford for all of the support they receive. Demand has grown during the holiday season, as the staff remains busy with the Empty Stocking Fund.

“Our shelves are getting quite bare, so this food drive will help us out a lot,” Katerynych said.

In November, she noted they helped around 1,500 people through 500 hampers given out. The expectation is that things are slowing down soon.

“We’re getting back to pre-COVID numbers and with the food prices rising, we’ll surpass old numbers,” Katerynych said. “The food is definitely going to people who need it.”

Regarding what donations are most looked for, the centre is asking for any healthy food in non-perishable items, such as canned vegetables. Katerynych added that baby items are critical as well given how many of the people they help are in families.

“There’s always a demand for it and we always run out.”

Weather for “Stuff the Cruiser” on Saturday in the Battlefords is forecast to have favourable conditions for this time of the year, with an afternoon high of 2°C and sunny skies.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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