OPP officers were spotted at Vrab's Independent Grocer at the Four Corners on Saturday, serving the community one grocery bag at a time.
Along with members of Greater Sudbury Police, the OPP's Auxiliary Unit were greeting shoppers at the cash lanes and bagging their groceries, while collecting donations for the food bank.
The annual Cops for Christmas Food Bank Drive event collects non-perishable food items and money to meet the needs of the Sudbury Food Bank throughout the holiday season.
“The customers coming in can help by either adding a cash donation to their bills or they can purchase some of the items that the food bank has identified to help the communities,” said OPP Const. Andre Taschereau.
This year, officers are looking to beat the record they set last year by raising at least $5,000 in monetary donations.
“So far we are having a great day, we have raised over $500 just in the first hour,” Taschereau said.
Daniel Xilon, executive director of the Sudbury Food Book, was present to support the officers at what he called “one of the biggest one-day events before Christmas time.”
“The philosophy of food bank is, 'give us one can, and we can make it last a year,' so there is no monetary value that we are looking for, we are just hoping we can feed everyone who comes at our door,” Xilon said.
Although non-perishable food such as pasta, canned soups and stews, canned vegetables and fruits items are always welcome, Xilon identified items like infant foods and baby formulas should also be kept in mind when donating.
“A lot of the times people forget that children too are affected by the poverty. Many don't know that we also accept baby foods and even hygiene products for children and adults are helpful.” Xilon said.
