The region-wide food drive run by the Niagara Regional Police Service generated more than 20,000 lbs of food and more than $13,000 in cash donations.
The multi-community drive, led by members of the service’s Community Engagement Unit, partnered with nine local food banks and 12 local grocery stores.
“Where food drives in the past centered on the holiday season, the NRPS Spring Food Drive hoped to support the community with the challenges that have come from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said a NRPS news release.
Over the five days that donations were accepted, 20,274 lbs. in food and $13,354.30 in cash/gift cards was received.
Post Food in Niagara Falls donated 4109 lbs. of cereal products. Powell Drywall in Welland donated 630 lbs. in chicken meals. A number of the grocery stores also provided food donations to the food drive.
The food banks that were supported by the food drive included:
- Salvation Army – Fort Erie
- Port Cares – Port Colborne
- Hope Centre – Welland
- Pelham Cares – Pelham
- Project Share – Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake
- West Lincoln Community Care – Smithville
- Community Care – St. Catharines, Thorold
- Grimsby Benevolent Fund – Grimsby
- Community Care of West Niagara – Beamsville
NRPS said the following grocery stores participated in the effort
- No Frills – 1135 Thompson Rd. – Fort Erie
- Sobeys – 287 West Side Rd. – Port Colborne
- No Frills – 390 Lincoln St. – Welland
- Zehrs – 821 Niagara St. – Welland
- Food Basics – 130 Hwy. 20 East – Pelham
- Zehrs – 6940 Morrison St. – Niagara Falls
- Food Basics – 6770 McLeod Rd – Niagara Falls
- Foodland – 239 St. Catharine St. – Smithville
- Superstore – 411 Louth St. – St. Catharines
- No Frills – 581 Lake St. – St. Catharines
- Superstore – 361 South Service Rd. – Grimsby
- No Frills – 4961 King St. – Lincoln (Beamsville)