‘Shop with a Cop’ is not only fun, it’s a coming together of the community with Police, Rotarians, students, Food Banks and Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer.
Each year, the event has become a food FUNdraiser for local food banks leading up to the holiday season at Christmas time.
Two grade six students are chosen from each fo the four Saugeen Shores elementary schools to shop with a cop from the local Saugeen Shores Police Service.
This year, joint sponsorship by the three Rotary Clubs in Saugeen Shores meant each team had $300 to spend on needed items for the Food Banks, but could not exceed the limit. The team that came closest to the $300 limit without going over was declared the winner and received $100 for their school library, in addition to another $200 in food donated by Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer. Each team also received for their school participation $50 for a school project.
Prior to the shopping spree, both the Salvation Army Food Bank and Saugeen First Nation Food Bank advised the teams of their most needed items, that included canned vegetables, diapers, baby formula, peanut butter, cereal, soups, juices, toilet paper, sugar, flour and many other products,
The teams lined up anxiously in the store waiting for the official bell by Southampton Rotary President Dave Bertrand that signalled the race against the time allotment of 45 minutes.
At the sound of the bell, they were off.
At the end of the 45 minutes, it was time to find out the results at specially designated cashiers as everyone waited anxiously to learn who the winner of the 2023 Shop with a Cop would be.
This year’s winning team was the Northport Cougars led by Sgt. Ken Cook and his team of Lincoln Leung and Ryker McBride as they came in at $291.76. They were followed closely by G.C. Huston with $285 and team leader Officer Stacey Gordon, EPESCS (Saugeen Central) at $281 with Sgt. Chantal Primeau and St. Joseph’s Catholic School with $270 with Inspector Jeremy Mighton & Chief Kevin Zettel.
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Following the fun event, everyone went out for snacks sponsored again by local Rotary Clubs.
“We Rotarians are just so impressed with this event and so proud that the three local clubs joined together this year to make it happen,” said Port Elgin Rotary Club’s Erin Zorzi. “This not only supports the Food Banks but it brings the community together and teaches our youth to give back to the community, and also know that our Police are there for them.”
