RCMP fill two Fords in Bonnyville to help the local food bank

The Bonnyville RCMP partnered up with the M.D. Peace Officers and the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) on Saturday for its annual Pack the Police Car.

On December 11, it was extremely heartwarming to see the community come together to fill two police trucks in Bonnyville, the food and money that was donated will make a huge difference for many families in the Lakeland community.

Arthur C. Green/Lakeland Connect

Sgt. Sarah Parke is the Detachment Commander for the Bonnyville RCMP.

“With the generosity of our community, we managed to fill two police trucks with food weighing a total of just over 4200 lbs and several hundred dollars in grocery gift cards,” Sgt. Parke told Lakeland Connect. “I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out to support this initiative.”

The donated goods were delivered to both food banks in town and will be used to help those who need a little extra hand this holiday season, Sgt. Parke added.

The BRFA was on hand to help pack the police trucks.

“Our BRFA stations are constantly involved in their communities, and we are proud of Station 5 for connecting with the RCMP on this initiative” Bonnyville Station Chief Craig Wenzel said.

Let’s face a rash reality, some people just can’t afford to eat during the holiday season. Therefore, events such as “Pack the Police Car” are vital to keeping the shelves in the food bank stocked.

“We at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre are grateful for the community’s support we receive in order to help those who are in need of a little extra support,” Lauri Fitzpatrick Executive Director at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre said. “The donations that come in are so very much appreciated.”

Dan Heney is the Regional Fire Chief at the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority.

“The BRFA was very happy to be able to be involved in this event to help our local food banks during the Holiday Season,” Regional Fire Chief Heney told Lakeland Connect. “Thank you to everyone who came out and supported this great cause.”

Lakeland Connect would like to give a shout out and also say thank you to everyone who donated on Saturday.