Adapted from an article in the Ontario Provincial Police News Portal.
Volunteers at the Stuff-A-Cruiser event.
Earlier this winter, officers from the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) hosted the Stuff-A-Cruiser event in the Rainy River District. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) took the lead in this year’s event.
On Saturday, November 29, 2014 with the assistance of their policing partners; officers and volunteers were outside the Atikokan Foodland and the Atikokan Economic Development Office between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Together, the community stuffed 14 cruisers full of non-perishable food items to help support the Atikokan Native Friendship Centre/Ashandiwin Food Bank, Atikokan Christmas Cheer and the Faith Lutheran Church Food Bank. This annual event is held in conjunction with the Christmas Parade and was very well attended.
On Saturday December 13, 2014, the Stuff-A-Cruiser event was also held in Fort Frances, Emo and Rainy River. Officers and volunteers were located outside of Canada Safeway, The Place, Wal-Mart, Cloverleaf Grocery and Beaver Mills Market between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This year, the OPP, Treaty Three Police Service and CN Police were grateful for the help received from the Rainy River District Emergency Medical Services (EMS), students of the paramedical program at Confederation College and Iron Range Bus Lines. Many members of the community came out and helped stuff a full size bus three times with non-perishable food items at the Wal-Mart site!
Together, the community stuffed 25 cruisers in Fort Frances, 7 cruisers in Emo and 3 cruisers in Rainy River with non-perishable food items in support of the MNO Sunset Country Métis Council, United Native Friendship Centre, The Salvation Army, Emo Food Bank, Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau and Rainy River West End Food Bank.
The OPP congratulates the MNO and to the Celebrating Diversity Committee for their role in this year’s event and assistance in coordinating the schedule of over 70 volunteers who helped throughout the day. Well done!