Two northern RCMP detachments are gearing up for their annual Cram-A-Cruiser events. 

Every winter holiday season, Cram-A-Cruiser sees RCMP vehicles parked outside of different grocery stores to receive food donations for local charities. 

Terrace will be holding its twelfth annual event, while Prince Rupert will be holding its second annual event, on Dec. 10. 

During its 12 year run, the Terrace RCMP only missed 2020 due to COVID-19. Though Cst. Kelly Cates, media relations officer, said that the break and the pandemic hadn’t interfered with donations, seeing nearly 4,000 pounds of food donated in 2021 when it resumed. 

Donations in will be going to the same three non-profit organizations as last year: the Salvation Army, Terrace Church’s Food Bank and Ksan House Society. 

According to Cates, cash donations collected will be used by the charities to purchase gift cards so that people can fulfill their specific needs.

In Prince Rupert, last year marked their first annual Cram-A-Cruiser event. Cst. Brody Hemrich, media relations officer, said that the idea came from a recruit as part of their training and that they had to cut the event short last year due to an overload of donations.

This year, they come prepared: in partnership with Chrysler, there will also be a truck parked alongside the cruiser to store additional donations. The Salvation Army will have a kettle available to accept cash donations as well. 

Cruisers will be parked outside Safeway, Save-On, and the Wholesale Club in Terrace from 1-3 p.m. this Saturday. While it's still pending, Cates says that there might even be a special appearance from Santa or Safety Bear. 

In Prince Rupert, a cruiser and truck will be waiting for food outside of Safeway from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Listen to the CFNR story with Constables Cates and Hemrich below: