York police bag groceries to help less fortunate + video
The officers charged with arresting criminals and pulling over speeders were trusted on Saturday afternoon to handle another challenging task: bagging groceries without smushing the bread.
Many Bi-Lo shoppers in York were surprised to see the uniformed York Police Department officers at the end of their check-out lines Saturday. Many of them giggled, all of them thanked the officers, and dozens donated money.
The officers volunteered to bag groceries for cash tips. The tips were donated to Tender Hearts, a nonprofit organization that will feed nearly 1,000 people later this month for Thanksgiving and again at Christmas.
Tender Hearts President Ainslee Moss says the group needs about $20,000 to help 401 families this holiday season. The organization is $642.41 closer to the goal after Saturday’s fundraiser at Bi-Lo on East Liberty Street.
The police department, Tender Hearts and the grocery store have partnered for the last several years to take donations for struggling families who need help buying food and toys for Christmas. Store director Shannone Kerber said she supports the effort because Bi-Lo wants to give back to the community.
“The people they’re helping are the same people who shop here,” Kerber said. “They know the families that need it most.”
Lt. Dale Edwards, a York police officer who leads the department in volunteering and helping people in need – especially families with children – said he was glad to spend nearly five hours Saturday raising money for Tender Hearts. The organization’s food pantry, thrift store and holiday programs reach people in York who need a hand up, Edwards said.
Edwards often calls on the organization to help a family he’s encountered on patrol or while working calls such as house fires. Even in the middle of the night, Edwards said, Tender Heart’s Moss will get up and help those who need it. His wife volunteers with the organization, too.
Money donated Saturday will go toward buying food and Christmas toys for children and families. Those who signed up and qualify will receive bags of groceries to prepare their holiday meal in their home.
“At Christmas, money is tight for people,” Edwards said. “We can come in and help them provide Christmas meals and Christmas toys.”
Tender Hearts will buy the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals from the same Bi-Lo where shoppers donated money on Saturday. Other donations for the holiday programs, Moss said, come from other local businesses and proceeds from the Tender Hearts Ministries thrift stores in Rock Hill and York.
Anna Douglas: 803-329-4068, @ADouglasHerald
Want to help?
Tender Hearts takes donations year-round by mail and online at tenderheartsinyork.org. Checks, cash and money orders can be sent to P.O. Box 634, York, S.C. 29745.
Donations of clothing and other items may be dropped off at thrift stores at 511 Kings Mountain St. in York and 1735 Heckle Blvd., Suite 117, in Rock Hill.
The women’s shelter has many needs including toiletry items, bedding supplies and baby diapers. Tender Hearts also accepts school supplies for children in need and canned goods, perishable items and bottled water for the food pantry.
Call 803-684-3131 for information.
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 5:45 PM with the headline "York police bag groceries to help less fortunate + video."