The 24th annual Innisfail RCMP Charity Checkstop was held over the weekend and was met with what one officer called an overwhelming response.

This year, the community helped to raise just over $12,000 in cash and cheques, 800 pounds of food for the local food bank and six carloads full of toys for the Innisfail Christmas Bureau.

Innisfail RCMP Detachment Commander Chris Matechuk said they had a great time at the event and are very happy with the results.

"A big part of police work is dealing with a lot of negativity or not at their best time, so when we can engage with people and the community in a positive way, it's always overwhelming. It's always great," he said. 

The Innisfail Food Bank, Innisfail Christmas Bureau, Red Deer Women's Outreach Society and Youth Positive Assets Coalition will each take an equal portion of those cash donations, and the toys and food are collected for the food bank and Christmas bureau, respectively.

Matechuk also added they are thankful for the community groups who volunteered to help make the event successful.

Innisfail Christmas Bureau Chairperson Karina Lucas said they always appreciate when people can donate toys because it helps to give them ideas for how to use those cash donations best.

"It makes it easier for us because we don't have to guess what people want. They can get things they know their kids like. A lot of the people who work with us are older and don't have little kids anymore, so to know what kids and teens like can be hard for us," Lucas said. 

Innisfail RCMP said they'd like to acknowledge the volunteers and supporting groups without whom the event couldn't take place each year. 

"It was overwhelming. Last year, I believe we raised around $8,000 so to see this year's generosity is overwhelming - especially with the struggles of our economy lately and those issues," Matechuk said.