It sure takes a team effort to “Cram the Cruiser.”
Penticton RCMP, search and rescue, fire department and bylaw officers joined together on Saturday, Dec. 16, to collect non-perishable food items and financial donations in support of the Salvation Army.
Several members from all protective services volunteered their time starting at noon, gathering outside Cherry Lane Shopping Centre and making it known to mall-goers that it was time for the annual “Cram the Cruiser” event.
“It’s rewarding to see the public come and make donations, showing they care for the community as a whole,” said Penticton bylaw officer Glenn Smith. “We’ve worked as a team, came together and wonderful things are happening.”
Saturday marked the second annual edition of “Cram the Cruiser” in Penticton.
Al Madsen, community ministries director at Penticton’s Salvation Army, says 600 pounds of food was collected within two hours at the event in 2022. An additional $400 was raised last December.
“We’re well on our way to beating that this year,” Madsen said, in front of an RCMP vehicle quickly filling with non-perishable food items, just 20 minutes into the start of the event. “To see such a community effort from all the emergency services is fabulous…it shows the public that everyone cares, we’re all human and we all want to help.”
Madsen outlined how challenging 2023 was at the Salvation Army, stressing the importance of Saturday’s event and the “substantial need” at the food bank.
“Today’s economic times have really changed things for a lot of people,” he began. “The new people that are accessing the food bank are families, young people and seniors. The people that we’re helping today could actually be your neighbour.”
The “Cram the Cruiser” event is set to run until 4 p.m., with crackers, soup, cereal, pasta, toiletries, Kraft Dinner, canned vegetables, canned proteins among the most needed items.
And as for the RCMP cruiser itself — what if it gets filled before 4 p.m.?
“We have a backup vehicle ready to go,” Madsen said with a laugh.
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