Community encouraged to help Fill A Police Cruiser and collect food for those in need

The fourth annual Fill A Police Cruiser Food Drive in Kona is upon us.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Community Policing Section, in partnership with Kona Costco, the Hawai‘i Food Basket and KAPA Radio personality Tommy Ching was at Kona Costco from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday collecting nonperishable food items.

A blue and white marked police cruiser will be stationed in front of Costco, where Costco members and the general public are encouraged to donate. Donors will have the opportunity to place their contributions directly into the police cruiser and take a photo with officers.

All collected nonperishable food items and monetary donations will be distributed by the Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s Food Bank, to those in need around the island.

The food drive was originally created in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown to address an overwhelming need for food assistance within the community.

“That need has only continued to grow amid current economic challenges,” police stated in an announcement for this year’s Fill A Police Cruiser event. “This event provides an easy and excellent opportunity for residents to support their local community by donating essential items.”

The Fill A Police Cruiser Food Drive has successfully collected more than 11,301 pounds of food and $18,958 in monetary donations throughout the past 4 years.

All donations this year will stay on Hawai‘i Island and benefit local families and individuals in need.

Hawai‘i Police Department and its partner agencies encourage everyone to participate in this year’s event.

Contact Officer Dwayne Sluss with Kona Community Policing at 808-326-4646, ext. 259, or via email at dsluss@hawaiipolice.gov for additional information.