"This is one of my favourite days"

On an overcast morning, flurries began to fall while teams started loading up vehicles with special Christmas hampers.

“This is one of my favourite days of the year. Being able to provide food for our school families is such a wonderful gift,” said Constable Amanda Hinks.

The mission began at H&W produce where hampers full of healthy food were waiting for EPS members and volunteers to load and deliver to several inner-city schools.

“We partner with the Edmonton Police Service because they're able to get and make sure that these groceries and produce go to the correct families, the families who need it, and the families in need,” said H&W co-owner Dave Harrison.

Teams branched out across the city to deliver the hampers. A line of parents, including a grandmother named Val Cardinal, waited at Ben Calf Robe School.

“It's all about helping families. Feeding hungry kids. Because it's really tough right now, especially if you're a single parent or single grandparent raising kids and you're getting the extra food. It means a lot to me personally because it fed my kids," said Cardinal. 

750 hampers were provided to schools, community groups, and individuals. Hinks said the demand seems to be growing every year.