While the current pandemic changed the face of a long-running tradition in Michigan’s Great Southwest, it certainly didn’t halt the practice that has become known far and wide as the “Shop with a Cop” program.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit recently completed their annual “Shop with a Cop” program for 2020, when they made deliveries last Saturday December 12th, 2020. For the past several years, the Reserve Deputies would shop with selected families at the Niles Walmart store. Due to the COVID pandemic, the Deputies altered that process and instead delivered food baskets and gift cards directly to each family’s doorstep. 
This year’s program served 5 families with a total of 19 children. Those families live in Coloma, Watervliet Township, Niles Township and New Buffalo Township.
The event was made possible by generous donations from the following donors:
- United Federal Credit Union
- Honor Credit Union
- Niles Walmart
- Pike Funeral Home
- DA Dodd
- Red Bud MX
- Wightman
- Milano Pizza
- The Dumminger family
- The Snyder family
- The Zimmerle family
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Reserve Unit enjoyed taking part in the holiday tradition and says, “We hope that everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season. “
