Donations fill the Battlefords RCMP command truck during the Cram the Cruiser food drive in North Battleford on Dec. 6, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

CRAM THE CRUISER

‘We totally beat last year’: RCMP collect over 4,200 pounds of food for Battlefords food bank

Dec 7, 2025 | 5:10 AM

On a cold December day in North Battleford, police cruisers, a 33-foot command truck and a steady stream of bundled-up volunteers created a scene that looked less like a law-enforcement operation and more like a holiday barn-raising.

By the time the final boxes were weighed, more than 4,200 pounds of food had been donated on Saturday — a haul valued at over $15,400 using Food Banks Canada’s 2025 national valuation method. The food alone surpasses last year’s total, which combined food and cash donations at just about $15,000.

Alongside the food collected, there was a little over $3,500 in cash donations, a total that included a $1,000 gift from Eternal Memories Funeral Home.

Donations fill the Battlefords RCMP command truck during the Cram the Cruiser food drive in North Battleford on Dec. 6, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

The Battlefords RCMP command truck. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

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For the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre (BDFRC), the surge couldn’t have come at a better time.

“This year is amazing. We totally beat last year, which beat the year before,” said executive director Erin Katerynych.

“So I am very happy with how the Cram the Cruiser turned out. We’ve got a lot of food.”

Katerynych said the donations will go directly toward the food bank and the community’s Christmas hamper program. She also praised the RCMP volunteers braving the weather.

“It’s December. It’s cold outside and they’re out there collecting food and raising funds for the Empty Stocking Fund. Absolutely amazing.”

READ MORE: Battlefords supporting another year of the Empty Stocking Fund

The Dec. 6 donations came during the RCMP’s fourth annual Cram the Cruiser event, where officers collected food at multiple locations from community members to support the BDFRC.

A different light

For Cpl. Steve Bell, who oversees crime prevention and community policing in the Battlefords, this was his second year organizing the event and easily the biggest turnout he has seen.

“By the quick look of it, it looks like we did better than last year. So I’m kind of happy with it,” he said.

Bell said Cram the Cruiser lets officers connect with residents in a way they rarely can during crisis calls.

“It gets us out into the community in a different light,” he said.

“We’re out there on a joyous occasion. Instead of seeing people at their worst and having to deal with them when they’re in crisis, it’s nice to be out there and see people when they’re happy to see us.”

Volunteers and Battlefords RCMP members gather at the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre after the Cram the Cruiser food drive in North Battleford on Dec. 6, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Donations collected during the Cram the Cruiser event are stacked inside the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre in North Battleford on Dec. 6, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Residents brought food, but also warmth.

“It was pretty cold out there today. I don’t even know how many people drop by with coffees for us and hot chocolates to keep us warm. So it was really nice to see that.”

The team soon realized they needed more than cruisers to hold everything.

“We brought out our big command truck and thought we’d use that to kind of take some of the stuff out of the police cars and we actually ended up cramming that thing too,” he said.

Bell estimated the equivalent of nine to 15 cruisers were filled throughout the day.

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Volunteers powering the day

Members of the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) were also out in force, helping staff donation points across the community.

“They also do stuff like this and help us out with community events. So they are instrumental today helping us out there too.”

As the last donations were packed away, Bell offered a simple message to the community.

“Just thanks,” he said.

“It’s nice to see everybody that is in a position to be able to help out — maybe for those that are struggling or a little bit less fortunate at this time of year, this will bring them some joy at Christmas time.”

For Katerynych, the event showed once again what the Battlefords does best: showing up for neighbours when it matters most.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com