Grocery, officers reach out to families

Submitted photo FSPD firefighter John Keating, FSPD officer Corey Richmeir, FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton, Sgt. Craig Rice, FSFD Capt. Dale Bollinger and Woods Supermarket store manager Denny Hensley gather at the store's entrance before delivering groceries to two needy families in Fort Scott.

Tears streamed down Lenn Bruce's face as she greeted police officers and firefighters who were standing on her porch, holding boxes filled with food for Thanksgiving.

She snapped a picture to capture the moment as they walked in with the supplies she says will help her provide a home-cooked meal for her family this Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, police officers and firefighters delivered groceries to two families in Fort Scott who are in need of assistance.

This act is an the result of an annual benefit food drive where the Fort Scott Police and Fire departments collect non-perishable food items throughout the month.

Unlike last year, they collected more food because the firefighters got more involved in the collection process, Sgt. Craig Rice said, who coordinated the event.

Woods Supermarket, which assists in the charity drive, donated a turkey and a ham to each of the families.

"You really never think of anybody really caring," Bruce said, "but not with these guys. I'm very grateful for what they've done."

Bruce is caring for her daughter's children because of the daughter's arrest two months ago. She doesn't take care of the oldest two children on a full-time basis. They live with their father. However, she takes care of the youngest, a 3-year-old girl.

Although some may think nothing good could come from an arrest, Bruce said when officer Mike Trim arrested her daughter, it led to Trim keeping in contact with Bruce about her situation. That's how she received the free food.

"He's been back and forth checking on me," Bruce said, who is wheelchair bound. "Mike brought me some groceries once before, for Easter, through his church."

She admitted that she only cooks sometimes, but always manages to fix a home-cooked meal on the holidays.

Domynic Taravieh, who lives at 415 1/2 S. National Ave., also received several boxes of groceries. Taravieh's mother, with whom she lives, works at Great West Health Care with Rice's wife, and they got to talking about her daughter's situation. She has a 9-year-old, 6-year-old and 1-year-old.

"This is going to help out tremendously," she said. "I think it's great, because I didn't know how I was going to fix Thanksgiving dinner."