‘Cram the Cruiser’ sponsored by county businesses

SOUTH POINT — The fourth annual Cram the Cruiser Food Drive is under way.
Sgt. Chris Smith, with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said the event, organized by the patrol, along with local businesses, kicked off on Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15.
“We’re asking people to bring nonperishable items and canned goods, along with any kind of boxed item that doesn’t expire,” he said. “After the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, a lot of food pantries will be running low, and the goal of the Cram the Cruiser campaign is to ensure food pantries have an abundance of food to distribute shortly before Christmas and following the holidays during the winter months.”
The campaign is in need of peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, tuna fish, dry pasta, canned soup and macaroni and cheese.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can drop off items at the Glockner South Point Ford showroom, Robin Fowler State Farm Insurance in South Point, The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the Armstrong Cable office and at the Ohio State Highway Patrol office in South Point.
Smith said that two local businesses are offering promotions to donors.
Glockner will offer a free oil change to anyone who brings in 10 cans, while Armstrong Cable offer a free movie rental for the same donation.
Other sponsors for the campaign include People for the Point, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and WKEE/WTCR.
A pick-up truck to be filled with donations, has been set up at Glockner. Smith said they switched to a truck in past years, as donations exceeded the space a cruiser provided.
He said the idea for the campaign, came from officers across the river.
“It started with Kentucky State Police,” Smith said. “I had some friends involved and they challenged us to do it. Since then, it’s really taken off and a lot of different businesses are involved.”