Kentucky State Police Post 16, which includes Daviess County, once again led the state in the annual “Cram the Cruiser” food drive, collecting more than 115,000 pounds of food to support families in need. This marks the second consecutive year Post 16 has topped the leaderboard in the statewide campaign, and the post collected more than half of the statewide donation total.
The 2024 initiative gathered 204,262 pounds of non-perishable food items across all 16 KSP posts, surpassing last year’s total by more than 42,000 pounds. Gov. Andy Beshear praised Kentuckians for their generosity, emphasizing the event’s role in supporting communities.
“Team Kentucky knows how to come together to care for their neighbors, and the amount of food collected through this event is a testament to the love our people have for each other,” Beshear said. “Through your donations, so many Kentucky families will have a brighter holiday season, and for that, I am thankful.”
The campaign, hosted by all 16 KSP posts, collects essential non-perishable food items to brighten the holiday season for those in need. These items included canned fruit and vegetables, canned meat, macaroni and cheese, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned soups, chili or spaghetti sauce, brownie and cake mixes, coffee, water, powdered milk, and juices.
Post 16 serves Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, and Union counties. Post 16 Captain Brenton Ford highlighted the critical role local citizens, businesses, and manufacturers played in achieving this milestone.
“Their efforts foster a spirit of collaboration that enhances the quality of life for residents in the area,” said Ford said. “We are proud to work alongside these individuals to achieve a common goal.”
In 2023, KSP collected 162,047 pounds of food. Since launching “Cram the Cruiser” in 2010, the agency has donated nearly three million pounds of food to shelters, food banks, and churches across the state.
“Every donation stays in the community where it was collected,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “This year’s drive once again highlights the generosity of Kentuckians and the collective effort to fight hunger. I’m honored to see such a strong response.”
