Photo of the CPS Stuff a Cruisser in Seton / Photo by Keith Driver
The annual Stuff a Police Cruiser took place at Superstore in Calgary’s southern community of Seton as the community came together to support those in need.
For the past two years, the Calgary Police Service have been partnering with Closer to Home Community Services and the Real Canadian Superstore to stuff a police cruiser for those in need.
Some of the hot items being loaded into the cruiser were snacks for kids’ lunches, spices for cooking, and hygiene products.
Gabby Lerner, Senior Program Manager at Closer to Home, says being able to offer options for the people they serve gives their clients a sense of control.
Filling a cruiser and interacting with the community gives Officers of the Calgary Police Service a chance to have positive interactions with the residents they serve daily.
Acting Staff Sargent Cardona of CPS explained it’s important to stand shoulder to shoulder for friends and neighbours who find themselves in need.
Last year, the Stuff a Cruiser in Seton was able to fill the cruiser with 900 Lbs of food and received $250 in cash donations.
According to Food Banks Canada’s annual report card, 25.5 per cent of Canadians are experiencing food insecurity, which has many contributing factors, and according to Food Banks Canada, one of many factors highlighted is that Canadians are spending 30 per cent of their household income on rent.
With Thanksgiving around the corner and many Calgarians are experiencing food insecurity in the city.
To help families during Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, Closer to Home Community Services will be starting its “Adopt a Family Program,” which has supported over 800 families for the past 15 years.
More information about the program can be found on Closer to Home’s website.
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