Spokane County Sheriff’s Office hosts holiday food and donation drive to help local families

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Flashing lights outside Harvest Foods in Spokane Valley today were not cause for alarm. Instead, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, Chaplains, and deputies were collecting donations for families in need during their annual Holidays and Heroes food drive.

“We’ve got to interact with so many people from our community to get to see the generosity of Spokane,” said Derek Maney, a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Explorer.

The Explorer program serves young adults interested in law enforcement careers. The food drive offered participants a chance to connect with residents in a positive setting.

“People have had some bad experiences with law enforcement in the past, and us out here just showing that we’re not all bad guys like we do may have to do some disappointing things, but we have all good hearts out,” said Connor Hynek, another SCSO Explorer.

Through local schools in the county, the sheriff’s office has identified around 30 families in need. The donations collected make it possible for deputies to take those families shopping.

The program includes a Secret Santa component that adds an extra layer of magic for the children involved.

“There’s a Secret Santa who’s shopping for that child, and then we get to wrap them all up and give them a two boxes for a holiday meal and send them off in lights and sirens,” said Robert Kinnune, SCSO lead chaplain.

For the volunteers, the experience proves rewarding.

“I’ve been the Secret Santa shopping for a little girl. It was the most like, heartwarming,” said Hynek.

Community members who couldn’t make it out today can still contribute. Donations are being accepted at the sheriff’s main office on 1100 W. Mallon Avenue, Spokane as well as the Spokane Valley Police Department on 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley.

The initiative serves purposes beyond providing immediate holiday assistance.

“Everything we’re doing is impacting that younger generation changing the way they think about themselves and their value, changing the way they think about law enforcement. It’s really beautiful,” said Kinnune.