Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Michigan State Police troopers pause for a photo Wednesday while interacting with shoppers at MarketPlace Foods in Houghton during the “Stuff a Blue Goose” donation and food drive.

HOUGHTON ­– Wednesday afternoon began the first of five “Stuff a Blue Goose” events hosted by the Michigan State Police (MSP) to raise funds and food items for pantries of communities within Copper Country. The first event took place in Houghton at MarketPlace Foods where state troopers were situated in front of the checkout lines interacting with shoppers and requesting support.

Citizens could make a donation of $10 to purchase a bag of groceries provided by the grocery store and once the state police vehicles or “blue gooses” are filled or the end of the event arrives, the food is donated to the pantries. Before donations are made, MSP reaches out to the local pantries and see what they are in need of in order to try to tailor to some of what the grocery stores are willing to donate.

Community Service Trooper Alan Narhi of the MSP Calumet Post is thankful for the local communities and grocery stores for being willing to lend support to those in need of food throughout the area. He said without the support, the event would not be as successful as it is.

“There’s a lot of need in our area for food, and this is just a good event to help keep the shelves stocked at the food pantries,” he said.

Narhi and other troopers at the event were enjoying talking with passing customers and expressed that it is enjoyable to serve the community in this manner. Narhi remarked how fun it can be interacting with others in a positive manner and in a positive setting. While he appreciates the fun he can have in such a demanding job like this, he expressed that anyone who is looking to help people can also do so outside of events that the MSP sponsors.

“You can reach out to them [local pantries] and say ‘Hey, I want to help or I just want to help volunteer, whether that’s delivering food or whether that’s helping do the food distributions on those days.’ So yeah, by all means if you’re wanting to help out, I would strongly suggest or even support the idea of reaching out to the food pantries and reach out to community resources,” Narhi said.

The next four events for “Stuff a Blue Goose” take place today from 1 to 4 p.m. at Louie’s Super Foods in Lake Linden; Wednesday Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Larry’s Market in Baraga; and Saturday Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two locations of Pat’s Foods – in L’Anse and Calumet.