Police Collect Thousands of Snacks for Local Student Pantries

Inaugural 'Cram the Cruiser' event fills patrol cars with donations for high school food programs.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pile of individually wrapped snack bars and bags of chips against a stark, black background, creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic through the use of harsh, direct flash lighting.A community-driven donation drive fills police cruisers with snacks to stock local high school food pantries.Battle Ground Today

The Battle Ground Police Department, Clark County Sheriff's Office, and Battle Ground Education Foundation hosted the first 'Cram the Cruiser' event, collecting nearly 8,500 individual snack items to support student food pantries at Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School. The overwhelming community response filled multiple patrol vehicles, creating opportunities for positive interactions between law enforcement and students.

Why it matters

School-based food pantries play a vital role in ensuring students have access to nutritious snacks during the day, while also building trust and connections between law enforcement and the community. This event demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to address local needs.

The details

The Cram the Cruiser event took place on March 28 at the Battle Ground Fred Meyer, with the Battle Ground Police Department, Clark County Sheriff's Office, and Battle Ground Education Foundation collecting donations to stock the student food pantries at Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School. The donations, which included thousands of individual snack items, filled multiple patrol vehicles and required multiple trips to transport.

  • The inaugural Cram the Cruiser event was held on March 28, 2026.
  • The student food pantry programs at Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School have been ongoing for several years, led by School Resource Officer Phil Anderson and Deputy Chelsea Quiggle.

The players

Battle Ground Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that partnered with the Clark County Sheriff's Office and Battle Ground Education Foundation to host the Cram the Cruiser event.

Clark County Sheriff's Office

The county-level law enforcement agency that collaborated with the Battle Ground Police Department and Battle Ground Education Foundation on the Cram the Cruiser event.

Battle Ground Education Foundation

A non-profit organization that works to support educational programs and initiatives in the Battle Ground school district, including the student food pantry programs.

Phil Anderson

School Resource Officer who leads the student food pantry program at Battle Ground High School.

Chelsea Quiggle

Deputy who leads the student food pantry program at Prairie High School.

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What they’re saying

“What started as a small, officer-led effort has grown into a meaningful community-supported program that continues to strengthen connections with students.”

— Battle Ground Police Department

What’s next

The Battle Ground Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office plan to make the Cram the Cruiser event an annual tradition, continuing to support the student food pantry programs at Battle Ground High School and Prairie High School.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates the power of collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and the local community to address student needs and build positive relationships. The overwhelming response highlights the community's commitment to supporting its young people.