Eric Degelder Fire Inspector Lieutenant of the Lake Country Volunteer Fire Department, stands holing the ‘Cram the Cruiser’ banner along with Todd Ryder, the Store Manager for the Lake Country Save-On-Foods and Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey spokesperson for the Kelowna Regional RCMP.

Image Credit: Kelowna Regional RCMP

Kelowna and Lake Country Mounties will once again be inviting the public to cram police cruisers full of donations for the Lake Country Food Bank.

The Kelowna and Lake Country RCMP will once again partner up with the Lake Country Volunteer Fire Department for the now 5th Annual RCMP Cram the Cruiser fund raising event.

This year's event will take place on Saturday December 3, 2016, in the parking lot of the Save-On-Foods in Lake Country, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Since its inception, Cram the Cruiser has raised a total of over 8,843 lbs of donated items, and nearly $11,250 in cash and cheque solely for the Lake Country Food Bank.

Both regular and auxiliary members of the RCMP, in regular uniform or red serge with marked police vehicles, along with RCMP Citizen’s On Patrol (COP) volunteers will be on location inviting the public to "Cram the Cruiser" with non-perishable food donations. Cash donations will also be accepted and all donations will solely benefit the Lake Country Food Bank.

"The number of those who rely on the support of the Lake Country Food Bank seems to grow each and every year," states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. "I was shocked to hear that at least 500 individuals, one fifth of those believed to be seniors, readily depend on this charitable organization for the everyday essentials they need to survive," he adds.

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey states, "In a conversation I had with volunteers, Bev Marsh and Joy Haxton, who oversee operations at the food bank, I learned that donated food options for those with special dietary needs such as those who are Diabetic or Celiac are greatly appreciated and greatly needed, as are meal supplement shakes, such as Ensure, which are too expensive for the food bank to purchase, but a great meal replacement option for their senior citizen clients," he adds.

Personal hygiene products are always needed, and special gifts like toys for children are also always accepted by the food bank.

Once again this year members of the Lake Country Volunteer Fire Department have generously offered to come out and support the cause. Fireman will be on site to serve chilli and a bun for a donation to the food bank, all the food supplies are being kindly donated by Save-On-Foods.

Everyone who contributes with a donation of any size will be given the opportunity to enter their name into a draw for prizes generously donated by Lake Country, Kelowna and even West Kelowna businesses.

"So far, our prize sponsors this year include WestJet, the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, the Kelowna Rockets, the Kelowna Keg, L'Isola Bella Bistro, the new Lake Country Dairy Queen, Costco and West Kelowna Napa Auto Parts," said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey. "The Cram the Cruiser event would not be possible without our many sponsors who also include, Save-On-Foods, the Lake Country Calendar, Nor-Val Rentals and Okanagan Portable Signs."

"We are very excited for the return of this year’s grand prize for our draw generously donated by WestJet," says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. Those who donate to the 5th Annual Cram the Cruiser, could have a chance to win a WestJet Gift of Flight voucher, which is good for one round trip flight for two people to any scheduled WestJet destination.

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