JANESVILLE — The School District of Janesville is seeking additional volunteers for its 16th annual “Delivering Bags of Hope” food distribution event on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.
This community food drive was founded and conducted by the United Auto Workers Local 95 and continued until General Motors closed its Janesville plant.
In 2008, the SDJ took up this cause to continue supporting local families in need.
“The School District of Janesville can only be successful if we can maintain and improve positive connections with families outside of the classroom,” said Mark Holzman, Superintendent. “The Bags of Hope event is a terrific example of a strong community connection–with hundreds of school district employees teaming up with partners at the City of Janesville and many local businesses to help ensure families in need get support to have a happier holiday season over winter break when children do not have access to school meals.”
Thanks to community donations and business partners, this annual event has provided groceries for hundreds of families each year during the holiday season. This year’s efforts raised $50,000 and will feed 350 families and 50 seniors in the Janesville community. Local businesses donate space, services, materials, and funds to support the effort. Corporate partners include Dollar General, Seneca Foods, Dorina/So Good, Kwik Trip, and Festival Foods. Other sponsors include The Morse Company, LP Tree Service, VFW Aux 1621, Janesville Rotary Foundation, Jeffris Family Foundation, Penzeys Spices,
Frank Silha & Sons Excavating, Inc., City Glass, Family Chiropractic Clinic, Schneider Funeral Directors and Professional Pest Control.
Donations to Bags of Hope are always welcome and may be made payable to the “School District of Janesville” care of Bags of Hope. Donations may also be submitted through the SDJ website at https://tinyurl.com/2y9pwchc or by texting DELIVERHOPE to 41444.
Volunteers are needed to bag groceries (ages 13+), load cars, or to drive and deliver groceries around town on the day of the big event, Saturday, December 14, 2024. The bagging and assembly of grocery bags will take place at the Dollar General complex on the south side of Janesville. This process begins at 8:30 AM, and runs until approximately to 9:30 AM. This is followed by the loading of food packages into volunteer vehicles to be distributed to families across the community.
To volunteer, contact Heather North by December 13, 2024, at heather.north@janesville.k12.wi.us, or by telephone at 608-295-3140.
