Stories from York Region’s Districts: #2 District
10,000 pounds of food and $3,000 in cash were raised for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank in 2023
Officers raise thousands for food insecurity in Richmond Hill
Two community-minded officers leveraged their partnership with a local grocery chain to collect more than 10,000 pounds of food and $3,000 in cash for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank through several Cram-a-Cruiser events in 2023.
When Sergeant Jason Dearing and Constable Milad Baygan learned the food bank was serving more than 3,400 people every month, many of whom experiencing food insecurity, poverty and mental health challenges, they decided to help with collection efforts by urging shoppers to donate as they crammed a YRP cruiser.
Officers also began random visits to the food bank, offering encouragement to patrons and providing a visible police presence as they interacted with clients and volunteers.
The community, as well as the food bank, has expressed its gratitude for the officers’ hands-on approach as they demonstrated our values of compassion, professionalism and respect.
