The Cape Coral Police Department’s “Holiday Heroes Food Drive” beat last year’s collection total by several hundred pounds of food. In fact, the SWAT team collected more than 1,000 pounds more this year.

On Tuesday, SWAT team members, with assistance from the marine unit and district resource officers, set up collection sites at the Walmart on Del Prado Boulevard South and the Walmart on Pine Island Road. The officers collected non-perishable food items for the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

Last year, the SWAT team collected about 1,600 pounds of food. The team collected 2,627 pounds Tuesday.

“Awesome, kudos to you all,” Bedzaida Bryen, a volunteer manager for the food bank, said.

“We feel really good about the outcome this year,” Carlos Mena, the SWAT team leader, said. “It’s nice to take a break from our usual duties and give back to help those less fortunate in our community.”

“The police department is grateful for the partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Walmart for continuing to be a strong ally with us in community events,” Lt. Tony Sizemore said. “Most of all we thank the citizens of Cape Coral for their generosity. We truly live in a great community full of holiday heroes.”

Source: Cape Coral Police Department