On Saturday, December 15, 81 Craig volunteers and hundreds of others gathered at the Dollar General Distribution Center to help package and transport groceries to families in need of food over the holidays. All in all, 350 families and 50 senior citizens were helped.

The annual holiday event brings all ages of people in the Janesville community to provide support and assistance for those who are unable to afford it during the holiday season. Volunteers work to sort all of the food into designated bags, load food onto carts, and transfer the food to cars.

“Personally, I love putting the bags into the cars because then you get to talk to them (the other volunteers). You get to meet a lot of people in the community and it’s nice to see all of the people that come out and help,” said CHS Senior Greta Hanthorn.

The School District of Janesville took over the fundraising for Bags of Hope ten years ago. This year, the School District of Janesville helped raise $40,137 this year. With the help of sponsors, this accounts for over $80,000 in food. The families received $250 dollars worth of groceries and the senior citizens received $100 worth. Each of the families receive six bags of groceries, as well as bags of produce. Any additional food collected at the end of the day is sent to Echo, where it can be distributed further.

“There’s a lot of food in that building, it’s amazing!” said Craig volunteer Hannah Dunlavey.

Some of the sponsors or partners for this event included: Dollar General, Festival Foods, Seneca Foods, Quick Trip, Rock County Dairy Counsel, Blackhawk Community Credit Union, Texas Roadhouse, Janesville perocial schools, Dunkin Donuts, Max’s Pizza, Mocha Moments, Panera Bread, and several more.

“Many hands make for light lifting. Thank you all for being here and giving your time and for building a longer table to support those in the community needing a little help in the upcoming weeks,”  said SDJ Superintendent Steven Pophal to the crowd of eager volunteers.

The Craig student volunteers came with love in their hearts for the community.

“I would say there’s a lot of high schoolers who aren’t sympathetic but there’s a lot of us who have a big heart and actually care about things,” said Junior Hannah Loetscher on the statement that some high schoolers aren’t sympathetic.

“For us to wake up at 8 am is nothing compared to people who wake up every morning and don’t have food,” said Greta Hanthorn.

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