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'Shop with a Cop' $15K short on funding, how you can help provide Christmas gifts to underprivileged kids

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — ‘Shop with a Cop’ has helped provide basic necessities for underprivileged children in Corpus Christi for over 20 years. But this year, they're a bit short on funds and they're asking for the communities help.

Every year for ‘Shop with a Cop’ kids will go around a store for about an hour with a law enforcement officer, and they'll buy clothes, shoes, and other basic necessities.

“Some undergarments and jackets,” said CCPD officer Javier Cantu.

And each child who is out here shopping is a child who is in financial need and can't afford to buy these items for Christmas.

Shop with a Cop aims to take 540 kids on a shopping spree every year, operating solely on donations.

But this year they need about $15,000 to cover the cost.

“We're trying to make a difference in their lives and show them that we are here for them and want them to know that we care,” said Cantu.

Cantu has been shopping with kids for 17 years. He says it's more than just about giving these kids something to look forward to now, but about building bridges between the kids and law enforcement officers.

“I’ve run into kids much later in life that remember shopping with us and are grateful for what they received when they went through the shop and are trying to pay it forward,” said Cantu.

70 kids went shopping at the Walmart in Calallen this morning, and a new group of kids from around the Coastal Bend are scheduled to shop at other Walmart locations the rest of the week.

To donate to 'Shop with a Cop' you can call 361-442-4787 or email shopwithacopccfop@aol.com