Durham Police kick off annual Toy & Food Drive in Whitby

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Published November 17, 2021 at 1:33 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the 33rd annual Food and Toy Drive officially launched today at Regional Headquarters in Whitby.

With the pandemic bringing many challenges during the past 18 months, including a greater need for assistance in our communities, Durham Regional Police Services is issuing a challenge to Durham residents and businesses to make this year’s Food and Toy Drive the biggest ever.

Interim Chief Todd Rollauer joined Insp. Rob Bryan, Cst. Darryl Rice of the Community Safety Branch and Mini-Chief Frigan to kick off the donation drive. And Santa, the big man himself, even made an appearance.

The Food and Toy Drive provides Durham Region families in need with food and toys for the holiday season. Throughout the months of November and December local businesses, organizations and individuals donate food and toys, which are then picked up by volunteers, sorted and distributed to members of the community.

Donations can be dropped off at any DRPS Division, Regional Headquarters in Whitby, Clarington Fire Headquarters or any fire station in Oshawa, Whitby or Ajax.

DRPS is also encouraging community members to try and attend one of several outdoor Cram-A-Cruiser events taking place across the region to drop off food and toys this year. Each event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

  • Saturday December 4 – Costco Oshawa
  • Sunday December 5 – Sobeys Oshawa and Fresco Bowmanville
  • Saturday December 11 – Superstore Whitby, Superstore Ajax, Superstores of Oshawa, Loblaws Pickering, Loblaws Bowmanville and Bargain Shop Oshawa
  • Sunday December 12 – Liz’s No Frills -Oshawa
  • Saturday December 18 – Canadian Tires of Whitby and Oshawa North

Donations can also be made at the front vestibules at any DRPS station, with the exception of Regional Headquarters which is still closed to the public. They can also be dropped off at Clarington Fire Headquarters or any fire station in Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax.

COVID restrictions and policies, such as masking, will be in place.

Donation boxes are also in place at many businesses throughout the region.

Businesses or individuals wishing to make large donations can contact the organizers, including the coordinator Cst. Darryl Rice, at [email protected].

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