November 18, 2019
The Queensland Police Service’s Christmas Food Drive in the South Burnett is even bigger than what we reported last week … all the local police stations are involved, and it will run right up until Christmas!
Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant David Tierney, officially launched the expanded Christmas Food Drive on Monday morning but he stressed it wasn’t just non-perishable food items that were being sought.
Personal hygiene packs, soap, toilet paper, hair brushes, shampoo … all the bits and pieces that families need to survive when the shops aren’t open.
“But we’re not asking for toys,” Snr Sgt Tierney said.
The items can be dropped into the police stations at Blackbutt, Yarraman, Nanango, Kingaroy, Kumbia, Wondai, Murgon, Cherbourg and Proston.
They can also be left at the Bill Hull Car Centre in Kingaroy Street, which is also backing the appeal.
Snr Sgt Tierney said the donated items would remain in the South Burnett and would be distributed by local support services.
“We’re seeing more and more hardship,” Snr Sgt Tierney said.
“It’s the farmers, but it’s also the families where both mum and dad work. It’s the people who were helping other people in the past.”
He said the stress that families were under also had an impact on police.
“When it just gets harder and harder, we get the domestic violence incidents … and the suicides,” he said.
“A simple little package lets them know that someone cares.”
He said the Queensland Police Service was hoping to collect eight tonnes of donations across the State during this year’s Commissioner’s Appeal.
“I’d like to collect eight tonnes in the South Burnett, but I know that’s not possible!” he said.
South Burnett CEO Nina Temperton said the police appeal was a great initiative.
She said CTC employees had been donating different items each week in the lead up to Christmas but the police appeal would really help.
- Related article: Police Back Foodbank Appeal
