The Rotary Club of Southampton, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Port Elgin, is delighted to announce their support of the “Shop with the Cop” program for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

In a November 30 Southampton Rotary media release, with the recent closure of the South-Port Optimist Club, who first launched “Shop with a Cop”, the Salvation Army approached the Rotary Club of Southampton to take over the program.

On December 6, two Grade 6 children from each of the four Saugeen Shores schools, GC Huston Public School, St Joseph’s School, North Port Elementary School, and École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School, are challenged to shop for exactly $100 worth of groceries armed with a notebook, pen or pencil, and a calculator.

Prior to starting the shopping spree, Diane Thorne of the Salvation Army will brief the students on the role of the Food Bank and what food items would be most useful.

Saugeen Shores Police Inspector Ken McCulloch will arrange for each team to be assisted by a local police office. The team that collects nearest to $100 worth of food without exceeding the limit will be declared the winner.

Scott Rowland from Rowland’s Independent has generously agreed to give a further $100 bonus to the winning school’s basket. That means the Food Bank will receive up to $500 from this single event.

The shopping is funded by Rotary and in recognition of the students’ efforts the winning school will be given $100 donation to the school library. The three other participating schools will be given $50 each.

Ed Braun, Southampton Rotary President said, “We are thrilled that we could take on this great program in support of the Food Bank and fill the void following the closure of the Optimists.”

Sylvia Sheard, Community Service Chair said, “This fun event raises community awareness, the importance of service to others and the role the Food Bank plays in our community. The support we have received from the Saugeen Shores Police Service and Scott Rowland from Independent has been truly exceptional.”