A holiday time tradition returns to Dauphin this weekend, as the 5th annual "Pack the Pump/Cram the Cruiser" Food Bank challenge begins.
Between November 22nd and 28th, Dauphin residents can donate non-perishable food items or cash donations at either the Dauphin Fire Hall, or in the back seat of a special Christmas-lit police car at the Dauphin RCMP detachment.
RCMP Constable Marc Leroux says assisting the Food Bank is something near and dear to his heart.
"It is Christmas time, and there are a lot of people out there in Dauphin who are not as lucky as most of us. Really, the big goal would be to get a really nice Christmas table for a lot of these families that are not as fortunate as others."
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey describes what kind of items the Food Bank is looking for.
"Their recommendations include dry cereals, oatmeal, pasta and pasta sauce, any canned goods like beans, meat, vegetables, fruit and fish. Mac and cheese is always popular along with coffees, soup, and crackers. They are also able to take some monetary donations, which is used to purchase perishable items on the days of their giveaways."
Donations can be dropped off at either the Duphin Fire Hall, or in the back seat of the specially lit police cruiser at the Dauphin RCMP detachment.
You can also call the Fire Hall at 204-622-3100 to pick up your donation.
Final weigh-ins will take place on November 29th.
Weather permitting, the Fire Department also hopes to have fire trucks and members at Dauphin's three grocery stores between 1 and 3 pm Saturday to collect donations.
The RCMP has won three of the previous four years of this Food Bank Challenge.
