A police cruiser full of food was delivered to the Winkler and District Food Cupboard earlier this week.
The delivery was thanks to donations collected by a number of Winkler police officers on-site at the Real Canadian Superstore throughout the day on Wednesday. They were taking part in the first-ever 'Cram the Cruiser' fundraising campaign, alongside representatives from the Winkler & District Food Cupboard, and the local rep from the Real Canadian Superstore's Asset Protection team.
"It was amazing," said Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt. "In typical Winkler fashion, the generosity came out again, and people were more than happy to cram goods into the cruiser.'"
Thanks to generous donors who stopped by the Superstore in Winkler throughout the day on Wednesday, a cruiser full of food, and $1,226 in cash, was collected for the Winkler and District Food Cupboard.
Hunt said it was really nice to take part in the campaign, to have a presence and to help out the Food Cupboard. He noted Evan Samborski, the local loss prevention manager at the Winkler store, stood with them all day to help them get the word out about what they were doing.
"It's so much fun to see different organizations getting on board, and supporting those who are in need," said Milt Olfert, chair of the Winkler and District Food Cupboard. "We're just so thankful to our police service for all the things they do in our community, not just collect the food, but protect us."
Also this week, over 14,000 pounds of food and $1,309 in donations were dropped off, thanks to the combined efforts of some Pembina Valley youth on Wednesday. Youth groups in Morden, Winkler, Plum Coulee, Altona, Muncipality of Rhineland and other rural villages were participating in FCC's annual Drive Away Hunger event.
Wednesday's food drive brought in about 2,000 pounds more than last year, which came as a surprise, noted Olfert. "I thought it was going to be down from last year. When our first group went out, and came back, they said they had less than last year."
Olfert said it was great to see how all the kids from different youth groups came together for the same cause.
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