Niagara Regional Police officers will be targeting food insecurity at grocery stores across the region beginning tomorrow morning.
Constable Jay McCarthy, a Pelham resident, is the point man on the project.
“We’re in the third year of the NRP food drive in Niagara, and will have officers at 12 grocery stores over four days in March across the region, supporting nine registered food banks,” he said.
In 2021, the effort produced donations over 20,000 pounds in food, along with $13,350 in cash and gift cards. The 2022 haul was similar, generating 22,000 pounds of food, and $12,200 in cash.
“Our target is to match last year’s amount, despite the fact that food prices are at an all-time high, as are interest rates,” said McCarthy. “I don’t have a final count yet, but expect about 24 NRPS officers from our CORE Unit [Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit], as well as members of our Auxiliary Unit, to participate in the food drive. [NRPS] Chief MacCulloch is fully supportive of the food drive, recognizing the community need. Food banks typically get depleted over the Christmas holidays, and need refilling.”
Any questions about the food drive may be sent to [email protected].
Jenn Dubé, the office manager at Pelham Cares, said that their pantry is in dire need of various school snacks like granola bars, pudding cups, juice boxes and fruit cups; canned fruits and veggies, canned stews and chili; Kraft Dinner; baking items like flour and sugar; jams; coffee and tea; and meal supplement drinks, like Boost.
2023 NRPS Spring Food Drive — Full Schedule
Day One — Monday March 13 (8 AM – 3 PM)
Fort Erie (proceeds to The Salvation Army)
No Frills, 1135 Thompson Road
Port Colborne (proceeds to Port Cares)
Sobeys, 287 West Side Road
Pelham (proceeds to Pelham Cares)
Food Basics, 130 Hwy 20 East
Day Two — Tuesday March 14 (8 AM – 3 PM)
St. Catharines (proceeds to Community Care)
Superstore, 411 Louth Street
St. Catharines (proceeds to Community Care)
No Frills, 581 Lake Street
Grimsby (proceeds to GBF Community Service)
Superstore, 361 South Service Road
Beamsville (proceeds to Community Care of West Niagara)
No Frills, 4961 King Street
Day 3 — Wednesday March 15 (8 AM – 3 PM)
Welland (proceeds to the Hope Centre)
No Frills, 390 Lincoln Street East
Welland (proceed to the Hope Centre)
Zehrs, 821 Niagara Street
Smithville (proceeds to West Lincoln Community Care)
Foodland, 239 St. Catharine Street
Day 4 — Thursday March 16 (8 AM – 3 PM)
Niagara Falls (proceeds to Project Share)
Zehrs, 6940 Morrison Street
Niagara Falls (proceeds to Project Share)
Food Basics, 3770 Montrose Road
