STOCKTON, Calif. --
Stockton's firefighters now have a tool that will save lives in fires, building collapses, or any disaster -- and on the back of the truck is a Food 4 Less logo.
A federal grant paid $400,000 to purchase the truck, but the city that's been hard-hit by budget woes was still short of funds until Food 4 Less covered the gap.
"Unfortunately, we were short of funds -- $200,000 and change. Mr. Quinn stepped up, answered the call and made that happen," Stockton firefighter Matt Baker said.
Stockton Fire Chief Ron Hittle said the rescue rig will be in service for 20 years.
The city has tried to raise funds by having companies buy naming rights to the Stockton Arena, ballpark and even future parks.
"We felt it was only appropriate that we put his logo on a fire truck, and let folks in the community know we are a community and work together," Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston said.
Giving back was the theme Wednesday as firefighters, police and Food 4 Less delivered 500 turkeys aboard fire trucks -- including Rescue No. 3 -- at the local food bank.
"We are headquartered here. We have 1,800 employees in California -- almost 900 are in the city of Stockton -- so yes, this is our way of giving back to the community," John Quinn from Food 4 Less said.
For the food bank, there are hundreds of turkeys being delivered for hungry families at Christmas, and for Stockton, there is now a new truck and a new partnership for a city in time of need.
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