If you have ever wondered the amount of food and toys it takes to fill a police vehicle, Cobourg Police Service invites you to help them “cram-a-cruiser” on Saturday, November 20th, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at both David’s No Frills (500 Division St, Cobourg) and Walmart (73 Strathy Rd, Cobourg)
Once again, Cobourg Police Service has partnered with Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank and Giving Tree to help everyone have a joyous holiday season this year.
Cobourg Police Service members volunteer their time to run this charitable event. All donations collected go to local individuals and families in need. Any non-perishable food items and cash donations will be given to the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, and all the toys and gift cards will be distributed to families through The Giving Tree community project. The organizations will deliver these gifts for the holidays to families and individuals across Northumberland County.
“Last year’s Cram-A-Cruiser event demonstrated even a pandemic won’t stop the generosity of people right here in Cobourg and we hope to have a similar result this year,” says Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Cobourg Police Service. “There are members of the community who are still struggling and, at times like these, it is more important than ever that we support each other. Fare Share Food Bank and the Giving Tree do such important work for our town, but they cannot do it without everyone’s help.”
It is the community spirit that makes Cobourg such a wonderful and inspiring place to live. Last year over 3,500 pounds of food nearly $4,000 in gift cards and around 200 toys were collected to support Northumberland Food Fare Share and The Giving Tree. These donations kept the happiness of the holidays alive for a number of local families who otherwise would have gone without.
“Fare Share is grateful to our community as we share the giving spirit of the holiday season.”
– Denis Culver, Food Drives and Vehicle Liaison, Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank
“The Giving Tree relies on partnerships such as the Cobourg Police Service and on the generosity of the
community to provide toys for almost 1,300 children in Northumberland County.”
– Cheryl Baker, Coordinator, The Giving Tree
Thank you to David’s No Frills, Walmart, and the Salvation Army for their continued support of this event.
At each of this year’s Cram-A-Cruiser locations, Cobourg Police Service members will be handing out a list of preferred items for people to donate —though whatever you can give is always appreciated! If you are unable to make it on Saturday, you can still directly impact the lives of residents in our community by donating in other ways.
To donate to Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, visit fareshare.ca
Toy and gift card donations to the Giving Tree can be dropped off at the church on Ballantine Street Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. until December 10. For more drop-off locations, visit the Giving Tree Facebook Group.
If you or someone you know is in need of Food & Toy Assistance this holiday season, please visit The Giving Tree Facebook Group or The Salvation Army Cobourg/Port Hope website for information on where to apply.
Cram – A – Cruiser Cobourg details:
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Location: David’s No Frills (500 Division St, Cobourg) and Walmart (73 Strathy Rd, Cobourg)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Suggested Gift and Food donations:
• Gift cards
• Lego
• Craft kits (e.g., bracelets and bath bombs)
• Art supplies
• Minecraft, Pokémon, Tech deck, Bay Blades
• Board Games
• Sports and comic books or magazines
• Canned pasta, stews, chili
• Chunky soups
• Flakes of ham, tuna, turkey, chicken
• Pudding and fruit cups
• Peanut Butter, Jam
• Personal items such as Deodorant, Body Wash, Shampoo
• Juice and juice boxes
• Cereal, Oatmeal, Granola bars (esp. peanut free)
• Kraft Dinner, Sidekicks
• Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
