Winston Salem Times

Law enforcement officers, by the nature of their jobs, sometimes see the worst that society has to offer. Often, when dealing with troublemakers, they are seen in a negative light.

Deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office are working to change that image by doing something visible that benefits society, a report from WGHP said. They are working with Crisis Control Ministry to deliver food to local neighborhoods. They use their time in the community to build bridges with the citizens and let them know they are there when help is needed.

Winston-Salem has several areas considered food deserts throughout the city where Crisis Control Ministry provides cereal, snacks and other nonperishable items to those in need.

The deliveries typically happen on Friday as a way to increase the likelihood that children who grab their meals will have enough food to get through the weekend, the WGHP report said. Last Friday afternoon (April 8), the deputies delivered food to a Latino community on Peace Haven Road. As soon as kids got off their school buses, they were able to grab their meals.

"We see five to six buses, and when they come out there with the biggest smiles on their faces and grab their favorite items," Cpl. Butch Moore of the Sheriff's Office told WGHP. "We are cops, we see a lot of bad things. This is an opportunity for us to see something positive."

In addition to providing supplemental food, the ministry can help people pay their rent and utility bills and also pay for prescriptions, the report said. 

In helping to meet the needs of segments of the community, Crisis Control Ministry is always welcoming volunteers, either to help with distribution or to host food drives so enough goods can be collected to continue its mission. 

Find out more at crisiscontrol.org.