KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of families received a free ham and some other fixings for the holidays on Tuesday.
The holiday donation is the product of a partnership between Kansas City, Missouri police, Hy-Vee and Harvesters.
This year KCPD gave away over 400 hams to families.
"It's a blessing to me because this is the first time cooking my first Christmas dinner in my own home, my own place, so I'm very proud of that," said Andrea Hayes.
Rhonda Bozeman Wyatt said this event has helped her for the past three years.
"It helps a lot of families out that's not able to put dinner on the table and that's a good thing," Bozeman Wyatt said.
About 12 percent of people in the metro are food insecure, and the stress that can come with the holiday season adds to the burden.
Officer Rita Olson-Stawicki said she believes it shouldn't be that way.
"There's a lot of families out there struggling. A lot of those families have children, and they have to make that difficult choice of, do I go to the grocery store to get a Christmas meal or do I go to the store and get my child a Christmas present to put under the tree. This helps, now they don't have that difficult decision," said Olson-Stawicki.
Olson-Stawicki puts this event on with dozens of volunteers.
"Your heart just explodes with joy that you're able to be a part of something this important for the community," she said.
People walked away with a ham, canned goods for sides, and a hygiene kit.
"Very lucky, very thankful," said one woman. "Lots of blessings."
The food items are not hot and are designed so families can make the holiday feasts at their own homes.
Families can pick the food up at East Patrol, located at 2640 Prospect Ave., Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
