NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has today challenged emergency services and law enforcement agencies worldwide to ‘Stuff Your Chopper’ for charity, NSW Police say.
‘Stuff Your Chopper’ is an initiative that began overseas in the aviation industry, which calls on organisations to fill an aircraft with items for a nominated charity.
The NSW Police Aviation Support Branch stepped up to support the initiative and today donated a ‘chopper’ of donations to Foodbank NSW/ACT.
Foodbank is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1992, which acts as a pantry to charities and community groups that provide food to those in need.
Commissioner Scipione commended his officers for coming together to show their support for such a worthy cause.
"As the year comes to a close many of us are making Christmas plans; however, there are those across the community who are doing it tough and that’s what ‘Stuff Your Chopper’ is all about," Commissioner Scipione said.
"Police often have contact with vulnerable people in the community and this project allows us to lend a helping hand by providing goods to Foodbank that will then be distributed to those most in need.
"But this is just the beginning; we know we can all do more to give something back this Christmas and that’s why I’m challenging law enforcement and emergency services worldwide, to contribute toward this important cause," Commissioner Scipione said.
"NSW Police is getting on the front food this festive season and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Together we can make a real difference."
Foodbank NSW/ACT CEO Gerry Andersen said hunger in Australia continues to worsen and demand for food relief is now outpacing supply.
"In NSW and the ACT, Foodbank provides emergency food relief to about 800,000 people each year, supplying more than 12 million meals," Mr Andersen said.
"This festive season alone will see us provide more than 17,000 Christmas hampers and four million meals to feed families in need.
"Foodbank would like to thank the NSW Police Aviation Support Branch for its ‘Stuff Your Chopper’ initiative that will provide much-needed goods for our hampers," Mr Andersen said.
Aviation Support Branch Commander, Detective Superintendent Mark Noakes, congratulated the officers across his command for organising this unique charity drive.
"I’m very proud of every officer involved in this initiative and I encourage members of the community to make their own donations to Foodbank," Det Supt Noakes said.
"No matter how big or small, any donation will make an enormous difference to those in need this festive season."
Members of the community can learn more about Foodbank, and make a donation, by visiting: https://www.foodbanknsw.org.au/
