Sault kids, police, team up with Rome’s to help Soup Kitchen (6 photos)

There was a heavy police presence outside Rome’s Your Independent Grocer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

However, it wasn’t a crime scene at the Great Northern Road store, but rather a scene of charity.

Sault OPP officers and the Sault OPP auxiliary unit, accompanied by community-minded children, were filling two police vehicles and a trailer with donations of food and other items for the needy as Christmas approaches.

The Sault OPP auxiliary unit has been carrying out Stuff a Cruiser for the past 15 years.

All donations of turkey and non-perishable food and other items from Rome’s and Rome’s customers (such as toys, diapers, pet food) and monetary donations went straight to the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“This time of year there are a lot of families that need help, so us coming out here, especially with the kids, gives us a better appreciation of all we have. The kids get a sense of giving back to the community through collecting these food items for families that need help. There are going to be a lot of families helped out through this event,” said Sault OPP Constable Christie McClelland, speaking to SooToday.

“It feels great to help out. The OPP’s great. We offer the location and we have wonderful customers that are very generous. It’s a great time of year to help out the Soup Kitchen,” said Chris Rome, Rome’s Your Independent Grocer owner, who estimated over $1,000 in monetary donations were collected in the 2017 Stuff a Cruiser event.