Ridge Meadows RCMP gathered at Superstore in Pitt Meadows on Tuesday (Aug. 30) for a new donation collection program in partnership with the Friends in Need Food Bank.
Media Relations Officer for the Ridge Meadows RCMP, Julie Klaussner, said that this new program is just the start of what they hope turns into a yearly event.
“This is the first of what is going to be a two-day event,” said Klaussner. “The next day will be on Thursday, where we’ll be set up at Save on Foods just off of 227th Street.”
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The charity program, which they’ve named Lunches for Learners, involves collecting either money or food donations, which are then handed over to the Friends in Need organization to be distributed to children in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows school district.
“We want to give kids a strong start to the school year by sending them back to school with full bellies,” said Klaussner. “That way, they have the best opportunity to learn and thrive in the classroom.”
People wanting to submit donations to Thursday’s booth can go to the Save on Foods in Maple Ridge between the hours of 9 am and noon, where volunteers and RCMP officers will be waiting to accept cash or tap donations as well as any breakfast and lunch items.
“We’re looking for things like nut butters, granola bars, pudding cups, pancakes, syrup, or really any type of snacks,” said Klaussner.
After the two-day charity event, Ridge Meadows RCMP collected a total of 870 lbs of food donations, along with over $2,900 in cash donations.
READ MORE: Non-perishable food hard to find for Maple Ridge food bank
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