SHAWANO, WI – The Shawano Police Department officially kicked off another season of its popular Lunch in the Park program Tuesday, bringing officers, families and children together for food, fun and community connection.
School Resource Officers Brandi Hoffman and Tyler Thornborrow hosted the first event of the summer, serving hamburgers and hot dogs to children and families while spending time with community members in a relaxed setting. This year’s kickoff also featured the debut of a new Blackstone grill used to prepare the meals.
“It’s good. Never cooked on a Blackstone before. It seems like it works pretty good,” Thornborrow said while helping prepare food for attendees.
The annual Lunch in the Park program gives children the opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers outside of emergency situations and school settings, helping build positive relationships throughout the community. Events will continue at several Shawano parks throughout the summer.
Hoffman, who oversees the program, spent much of the afternoon greeting families and making sure children were fed, often asking attendees a simple question: “Do you want a hamburger or a hot dog?”
The program is expanding this year through partnerships with police departments in neighboring communities, allowing the outreach effort to reach even more families throughout the area.
Lunch in the Park is just one of several community-focused events planned by the Shawano Police Department this summer. Residents can also look forward to Touch A Truck, Sirens and Slices at Pizza Hut, Cone With a Cop, Cops at Culver’s, National Night Out and Cop on a Rooftop.
Police officials say the goal of the events is to strengthen community relationships while providing families with fun, free activities throughout the summer months.
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