NRPS officers were stationed at Phil's in Virgil as part of the annual Spring it Forward Food drive, an initiative of the service's core divisions.
Niagara Regional Police set up tables outside Fill's Your Independent Grocer Thursday afternoon to conclude the fourth annual Spring It Forward food drive.
Over a four-day period starting Monday, police officers went to 13 different grocery stores across the region to collect food and other donations to support Niagara's 10 food banks. Phil's Officer Mike Malachowski and his aide Kenneth Ferguson spent six hours collecting donations for their Newark neighbors. By 11 a.m., the two large barrels at each end were filled with groceries.
The annual food drive is an initiative of the NRPS Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit (CORE). During his first three years, 51,044 pounds of food and $35,113 in cash and gift cards were received from the public and businesses.
Police Chief Bill Fordy recently told The Local that Spring it Forward has always been part of Police Week, and this week was no different.
“We're working with every service provider in the area,” Mr Fordy said. “Food drives give us the opportunity to give back and be there for those who work with people who have challenges and pressures that others may not have.”
In addition to Newark Neighbors, these include Welland's Hope Center, Pelham Cares, Project Share of Niagara Falls, Fort Erie Salvation Army, Port Cares, Grimsby Charitable Foundation, St. Catharines Thorold, West Lincoln, All West Niagara Community Cares benefited this week. Do your best.
Following the collection at Virgil, a Police Week open house was held at Penn Center, featuring demonstrations by various NRPS units.