This is probably the first time anyone has wanted to see the backseat of a police cruiser.

Winnipeg police officers collected nine full Winnipeg Harvest bins and well over 500 lbs of nonperishable food items at their inaugural Cram the Cruiser event for Winnipeg Harvest at the Real Canada Superstore on Portage Ave., on Saturday.

“It was amazing, a super good event,” said organizer Patrol Sgt. Phil Penner of the police’s Community Relations Unit. “It was a really good turnout.”

Even Saturday’s intermittent rain didn’t put a damper on the event. Penner said they started by filling the backseat of the cruiser and when that was full - at noon after only three hours - they started filling the Winnipeg Harvest bins. The event wrapped up at 4 p.m.

“It’s just a great opportunity to engage with the public,” said Penner.

The donations were delivered to Winnipeg Harvest at the end of the day for people struggling to feed themselves and their families.

“We certainly want to do this as an annual event,” said Penner. “Superstore has been great (to work with on this event).

“It’s a really good community event.”