Just ahead of Thanksgiving, the Battle Ground Police Department, with the help of numerous community partners, delivered meals to over a dozen local families in need.
Recognizing that many in the community might not have the means to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, the police department partnered with local businesses and organizations to make this holiday special for 13 Battle Ground families, the City of Battle Ground stated in a press release. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov. 27, Battle Ground police officers delivered the precooked meals in between taking calls for service.
“Our officers had a chance to interact with some people who were either particularly victimized in crimes or dealt with some people or families that wouldn’t have had otherwise the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving,” BGPD Chief Dennis Flynn said. “We got this information, and because of the great community that we live in, we had individuals and businesses get together that said that they wanted to make Thanksgiving possible for some of these people.”
Community partners prepared about 60 meals for 13 families at Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill for officers to take to the residents’ homes. Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill, US Foods, Walmart, Lisa and Jason Houser of Utopia Salon, Tyler Castle of Castle Farms and Lori Lindberg all eagerly contributed to the effort, the release stated. Inspired by the outpouring of support, police employees, business owners and City of Battle Ground leaders, including Mayor Troy McCoy and City Manager Kris Swanson, worked together to organize the donated items, the release added.
The individual precooked meals included mashed potatoes, oven-roasted turkey, cornbread stuffing, green beans, turkey gravy, dinner roll and eggnog cheesecake. As well, each family received two pies from Costco.
“When we were working on it together, I said, ‘I’m so happy today, I feel like I’m going to cry, a happy cry,’ ” Lindberg said. “Just, you know, seeing so many different businesses and individuals wanting to come forward and help families in need is a huge thing, and I think building the relationship between the community and the police department in a positive light is so very important.”
Lindberg congratulated BGPD Chief Flynn in the effort. She said Flynn continuously looks for ways to serve the community, adding that she loves seeing the police chief make the time to be a large part of a community.
For Flynn, not only do the Thanksgiving meals serve the community members in need, the generous act allows officers to make a positive impact on local residents’ lives.
“People don’t typically call the police when things are going very well,” Flynn said. “So when we interact with the public, many times, it’s not on the most positive footing. This allows the officers to interact on nothing but a wholesome activity and being able to help people. These are people who didn’t reach out. These are ones that we learned about that we were able to reach out to them and offer something on behalf of the city groups and the police department.”
