Sarnia police, Inn staff and volunteers impressed by donations during Cops for Cans

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Sarnia police Inn staff and volunteers impressed by donations during

The totals aren’t in yet, but early returns point to a large haul for a Sarnia charity from a police-run food drive.

Published Nov 17, 2024 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 1 minute read

Const. Bert Sparling receives a donation from Sarah Hertner, co-owner of Kyle's No Frills, during the Cops for Cans event hosted by Sarnia police Saturday outside the Exmouth Street grocery store. The annual food drive runs from 10 am to 3 pm outside four local grocery stores. Terry Bridge/Sarnia Observer/Postmedia Network
Const. Bert Sparling receives a donation from Sarah Hertner, co-owner of Kyle’s No Frills, during the Cops for Cans event hosted by Sarnia police Saturday outside the Exmouth Street grocery store. The annual food drive runs from 10 am to 3 pm outside four local grocery stores. Terry Bridge/Sarnia Observer/Postmedia Network Photo by Terry Bridge /Terry Bridge/The Observer

The totals aren’t in yet, but early returns point to a large haul for a Sarnia charity from a police-run food drive.

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Cops for Cans ran from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday outside four local grocery stores. Brayden Forbes, a warehouse co-ordinator at the Inn of the Good Shepherd, said by noon the van parked in front of Kyle’s No Frills on Exmouth Street was too full, so they had to take it back to headquarters, unload it then bring it back for more.

“This is definitely a good start,” he said. “Looking good, that’s for sure.”

Sarnia Police Const. Bert Sparling, who was helping collect donations there, recalled one woman bought about 40 prepacked bags of donations.

“It’s a great community who just loves donating,” he said. “We’re just the muscle.”

Last year’s drive brought in nearly 5,360 kilograms of food for the Inn, helping stock shelves for the holiday season. This year, officers and volunteers were collecting non-perishable food donations at Walmart, No Frills, The Real Canadian Superstore and Bright’s Grove Foodland.

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“Together, we can help ensure that local families have access to food and essentials during the holidays and beyond,” police said in a pre-drive release.

Brayden Forbes, a warehouse co-ordinator at the Inn of the Good Shepherd, loads a van with donations during the Cops for Cans event hosted by Sarnia police outside Kyle’s No Frills Saturday. The annual food drive runs from 10 am to 3 pm outside four local grocery stores. (Terry Bridge/Sarnia Observer) Photo by Terry Bridge /Terry Bridge/The Observer

Totals weren’t available Sunday, but police made several posts on social media pointing to a strong turnover.

“The Bright’s Grove Foodland truck is packed!” they posted on the social media platform X with a photo of the loaded truck.

“We are at our halfway mark, and trucks are well on their way to being filled,” came another post with photos from the Superstore drive.

Sarnia police added another post at the conclusion of the event, thanking the community for its generosity.

“Donations are headed to the Inn of the Good Shepherd, where they will be unpacked and weighed. If you weren’t able to make it out today, many stores are still accepting donations for the Inn,” they said.

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