Austin police and Hormel Foods Corp., have joined hands to launch the “Catchin’ the Good” campaign, a drive to reward kids for doing the right things.

The program began this week following a two-month trial where officers gave youth free Hormel food coupons when they found youth doing good deeds.

Police Chief Brian Krueger said a few examples cited by police include youth filling sandbags or youngsters helping elderly cross the street. The rewards earn coupons for things like Skippy Peanut Butter Bites or Hormel Pepperoni products.

“The Austin Police Department would like to thank Hormel Foods for creating and supporting the ‘Catchin’ the Good’ campaign, which we hope will continue to foster positive relationships with the youth in Austin,” said Officer Dave Dyke. “No longer will officers just be handing out tickets for breaking the law, they will also be rewarding coupons for positive deeds.”

Hormel plant industrial engineer Grant Oldenburg created the idea.

He said he regularly listened to a morning radio show that “promotes positivity and tells stories daily about the good things happening in our nation,” he said. “It made me want to look for ways I could spread positivity and help others.”

He heard of a business in Waco, Texas, that was providing police with coupons to distribute for good deeds being done by kids.

“I thought this would be a great way that I could use my relationship with Hormel Foods to make a difference in our community. We worked with the Austin Police Department to put a program together that will allow them to build positive relationships within the community. Our mission statement is ‘Transforming the community by building relationships, spreading positivity and inspiring our youth.’ “

He added that the goal is that the program not only impacts positive relationships with the police department, but between community members as well.

“Hormel Foods is committed to providing coupons to this program annually with hopes that other businesses within the community will join our efforts with the APD to inspire our youth. I am extremely proud to work for Hormel Foods, a company who took this idea, stood behind it 100 percent and ran with it.”

Hormel plant manager Clint Walters said the company is very focused on being a good corporate citizen and giving back to the communities in which we operate. ‘Catchin’ the Good’ is a great example of supporting our local community and being a leader with respect to community involvement.

“Our biggest asset is the people that work for us, and what better way to support them than to also support the local police department and the services they provide.”