Troy Food World will hold a “Back the Blue” picnic today at 11:30 a.m. in the Food World parking lot for law enforcement and the community.

Assistant Manager Erika Kilpatrick said that the managers felt the need to support law enforcement in some way and came up with this idea about two weeks ago.

“We had all of the managers split up to invite the different law enforcement agencies,” Kilpatrick said. “I think we’ve called everyone in Pike County.”

Kilpatrick said that law enforcement agencies invited included police departments, the sheriff’s department, EMS, and both volunteer and city fire departments.

The public is invited as well to come get hot dogs, chips and drinks and support local law enforcement. Kilpatrick said they plan to have balloons and other things for kids.

“The managers came together and we all decided that we need to do something,” Kilpatrick said.

The picnic supports law enforcement at a time of turmoil in America after the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police were caught on camera, causing protests, riots, and two mass shootings of police officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas that left eight officers dead.

There have been several events held in Troy in response to the crisis, including a community forum between residents and law enforcement and a prayer vigil held by pastors from across Pike County.