Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Police Department Joins Disney, Smith’s in Food Drive for Utah Food Bank




One-day effort nets 12,000 lbs. of food donations




Photo: Smith's bagger Taylor (left) faces off with Sgt. Fred Ross. Fox 13's Big Budah counts it down.


SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department, Smith’s Food & Drug, The Utah Food Bank and Disney On IceSM presents Princess Classics today joined together for a food drive to benefit families served by Utah Food Bank Services.

The public was asked to donate 10 canned food items in return for one free pass to the opening night performance of Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics, playing at the Energy Solutions Arena, Wednesday, November 11–Sunday, November 15, 2009. Donations were collected all morning at the Energy Solutions Arena. The overwhelming response resulted in the record-setting collection of approximately 12,000 pounds of food for the Utah Food Bank.

Officers also participated in the “Badges VS Baggers” competition, a showdown between the best food baggers from Smith’s Food & Drug and volunteer police officers. What the baggers didn’t know was that Sgt. Fred Ross of the Salt Lake City Police Department was the 1984 statewide food bagger champion. He walked away with the winning bag-time of nine seconds and dozens of tickets for kids at The Road Home family shelter. Escorted by officers, they will now have the opportunity to attend the Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics opening night performance and attend a special meet-and-greet with Disney’s Princess Belle and Princess Cinderella November 11.

The Salt Lake City Police Department has been taking part in this annual food drive for 10 years.