Police food drive supports ‘great need’ at Fort Erie Salvation Army

There are two desired outcomes when Niagara Regional Police (NRP) host their annual spring food drive at grocery stores across the peninsula.

One is that monetary and food items are collected to support local food banks, and the other is to show that officers are visible and available to chat with shoppers.

The region-wide food drive kicked off Monday and members of the NRP were at Jesse and Kelly’s No Frills on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., already having filled nearly two bins by 10:30 a.m. when Fort Erie Radio stopped by.

Benefitting in Fort Erie was the Salvation Army.

“We’re able to communicate with the community on what we’re doing and assist with food and donations,” said Constable Frank Elia, joined by auxiliary member Leah Grant, as well as Salvation Army’s Sabrina Marcantonio and Christian Ducharme.

Marcantonio, who is the food bank co-ordinator at the Army on Gilmore Road, said the food drive is very helpful in keeping the shelves stocked.

“There are definitely times that we’re lacking,” she said as customers dropped off bags of food and slipped cash to the team standing near the store’s front entrance.

“We’re very thankful the NRP has partnered with us to do this food drive,” she said.

The Salvation Army’s Fort Erie food bank is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m., by appointment only.

Each day, about 15 families are served.

“This will feed lots of hungry families,” she said about the donations that were piling up Tuesday morning.

Items to put in kids’ lunches are important and needed during the school year, such as apple sauces, granola bars, puddings, and juice boxes.

The Army moved to an appointment format recently, moving away from a walk-in program that saw about 30 families each day, which was a strain on staff and volunteers, she said.

Asking that clients book their visits online or by calling allows for a more controlled experience, she said.

“We’re seeing lower numbers now but we’re booking more appointments,” she said, adding there is “definitely a great need” in the community.

Pastas, canned fruit, peanut butter, baby food, and crackers are also some of the items Salvation Army lists as its greatest needs.

The food drive runs until Thursday in the region.

On Tuesday, similar events were being held in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, and Smithville, supporting food banks in those communities.

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