Tacoma police officer Zach Smalls decided to put his own unique stamp on a traditional food drive this year, by incorporating a physical element to it.
Smalls, who also runs Zee Speed, a rigorous physical training program for high school athletes, has been hosting Zumba classes to collect food for families in need this Thanksgiving.
The classes officially finished up on Nov. 22 at Wilson High School, where Smalls works as a school resource officer.
“I wanted to hold the classes for women only, to empower them to help their community,” Smalls said.
Although attendance was pretty low when the classes first began, Smalls said attendance grew to about 25 dedicated women, who battled through the bad weather to make a difference in their community.
“It’s great all the moms who come out and have been exercising in the rain. They just love it,” Smalls said.
He credits his own two daughters, Hayley and Avery, as well as several other students from the community for being instrumental in helping coordinate the logistics of the food drive. The volunteers will also help Smalls wrap, tag and deliver the food to families around the community before Thanksgiving.
Smalls has been storing the food in his home and said he has gathered enough food to fill about eight large boxes. Smalls said he is still lacking turkeys for the baskets, but said he plans to ask for donations from a few local grocery chains. He hopes to deliver food to about 10 families.
“I just want to drop it off with a note saying from Zee Speed and the ladies in your community for Thanksgiving,” Smalls said.
To find the people in need, Smalls did a little research, asking school counselors, Zumba participants and the students in his fitness program about potential families needing assistance.
With so many people in need this holiday season, Smalls said he just looks at the food drive as a way to give back to the community.
“That’s why I run my camp,” he said. “Just to give back.”
As for the Christmas season, Smalls said he would like to possibly host a toy drive. He also mentioned that he would like to turn both drives into an annual community service program outlet for area youth.
“This would be a way for them to give back to their community and fulfill their college and graduation requirements.”
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