A police department in California has been spreading kindness in its community, most recently by giving away cash to grocery shoppers.
The Oceanside Police Department in Oceanside, California, was given a $20,000 donation earlier this year, which the department will use throughout the year for its "Random Acts of Kindness Project."
Last week, the Oceanside Police Department posted on Facebook about the April effort.
GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUED AFTER FALLING DOWN 12-FOOT HOLE IN CALIFORNIA
"Grocery costs have skyrocketed and Oceanside police officers are heading out to stores to help people overcome food insecurity," the Facebook post said. "OPD will surprise shoppers with Random Acts of Kindness by helping with the grocery tab in April."
Oceanside officers went to multiple stores and gave shoppers $100 to help them pay for their groceries, local station KGTV reported.
IOWA WOMAN ASKS FOR FIRE DEPT. SHIRTS FROM ALL 50 STATES FOR HER DAD
The Random Acts of Kindness Project started in 2021 as a Secret Santa Operation, but has since turned into a "year-long project aimed at spreading a little kindness around the city of Oceanside, according to the Oceanside Police Department's press release.
Every month, police officers will surprise the community with "a different giving effort" focused on "making connections between officers and the community," the release said.
"The more opportunities that we have to engage with people outside of crisis situations I think deepen relationships and deepen understanding," Chief Fred Armijo said in a statement.
12-YEAR-OLD WOODWORKER RECEIVES ‘OUTPOURING’ OF KINDNESS AFTER DAD ASKS TWITTER FOR SUPPORT
The department said its officers already interact with people who need help on a daily basis and often provide them with food, clothing or transportation help. Now, they’ll be able to have more opportunities to serve the community.
"It’s a cool experience to get out in the community and make people smile and serve in a different way," Oceanside Police Officer Andy Gularte said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The $20,000 donation to the Oceanside Police Department was made by a California-based family, the Fortins, who founded the Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. The Fortins also established a Random Acts of Kindness Fund within Trauma Intervention Programs.
"My family and I enthusiastically support the Oceanside Police Department Acts of Kindness Project," Wayne Fortin, the founder of Trauma Intervention Programs, said in a statement. "We can think of no better way for us to provide acts of kindness to Oceanside residents than by partnering with Oceanside police officers who are on the front lines and encounter those who need kindness and a helping hand on a regular basis."