Joy to the world, food to families in need
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JANESVILLE — Let’s sing this holiday favorite together!
Joy to the world, the trucks are here,
Now fill those bags with food.
There’s apple juice and toasted oats
And pancake mix and tuna
And fruit and veggies too,
And fruit and veggies too,
And fruit and fruit and veggies too.
Joy to the world, the district’s all here,
Each school has volunteered.
There’s teachers and administrators
And school board reps and students
From Craig and Parker, too
From Craig and Parker, too
From Craig, from Craig and Parker, too.
On Saturday morning, long before most people were out of bed, a group of volunteers gathered at Hufcor’s warehouse to spread a little holiday cheer.
Most of them were carrying cups of coffee and some were even cheerful enough to sport Santa hats.
The event? The third annual Janesville School District food drive and delivery.
The UAW started the food drive more than 20 years ago, handing it off to the district when the local plant was shuttered.
“We really have to honor Marv Wopat and Nancy Nienhius who got this started and kept it going for 20 years ago,” Schulte said. “Three years ago they came out and show how to do this.
Now, the event relies on everyone—teachers, staff, students, administrators, and school board members—to make the food drive successful, Schulte said.
This year, the district raised $40,000, with about half coming from employees and students.
The rest came from local businesses and individual donors.
Woodman’s buys the food in bulk for the district, and that helps donations go further, Schulte said.
Seneca Foods donated a significant amount of food to the food drive; as did PepsiCo. Jones Dairy, Madison, helped them get a good deal on ham products, too.
By 6 a.m. Saturday, volunteers were busy unloading a semi-and-half of food, all of it wrapped and still on the pallets.
Each pallet had to be disassembled and placed at one of six stations.
Leaning towers of pudding, stacks of oyster crackers and skyscrapers of canned soup competed for space.
Bags were filled assembly-line style, with the heaviest—and least fragile— going in first.
Each of the six bags were placed in a shopping cart, and then wheeled into the snowy parking lot for additional items—apples, Pepsi products and other items.
Finally, volunteer drivers delivered the food.
Last year, 300 families were served; this year that number rose 350, a 17 percent increase. The number of seniors that were served went from 35 to 50 this year, a 43 percent increase.
The district’s social workers identify the families and seniors who are most in need.
Each family gets six grocery bags plus four cases of fruits and vegetables.
Dec 19, 2011 at 5:59 p.m.
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Gotta love when someone proves a point and the only response is personally attacking them back!
Happy Holidays; keep up the great work SDJ employees; you all do make a huge difference in kids' lives!
Dec 19, 2011 at 4:03 p.m.
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People and companies donated of their own free will, and volunteers deliver it. It is food for crying out loud. How anyone could have a gripe about this is beyond comprehension.
Dec 19, 2011 at 2:47 p.m.
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The Bible also talks about not judging others:
There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
James 4:12
Dec 19, 2011 at 2:27 p.m.
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I continue to be amazed that the Gazette reports a wonderful community happening without prejudice, and there are people that cannot resist turning the story into a political and negative atmosphere. This collection of happiness was furnished by people from the schools, businesses, individuals, and others coming together to share over the holidays.
I ask – what is wrong with this, especially during the Christmas (Hanukah, etc.) season?
Thank you is all that is necessary or have we forgot that message also.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year-
Karl Dommershausen
Dec 19, 2011 at 1:54 p.m.
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It's amazing how some people who choose to comment here can turn a positive situation like giving, donating, and spending time on complete strangers into a political or personal attack on those that are trying to help others. Scrooge is now going by the name of freebird007 and the Grinch turned his name into billnewbie apparently. Lighten up, smile, be happy and appreciate what your fellow Janesvillians are doing.
Dec 19, 2011 at 1:36 p.m.
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When giving to the poor, "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing", the bible says. Now why would the bible say that? Well, for one thing, people that bang their own drums over their "charitable" giving usually have some other motivation for that giving that has little to do with helping the poor, such as saving or promoting an image within the community. That's hardly an admirable reason, most people would agree. Secondly, when you give to the poor with hoopla and boasting, you inadvertently demean the recipients, which might cause them to avoid taking help they may desperately need.
It's most effective to give in private, making no spectacle of your generosity whatsoever. It's better for you and it's better for the people you want to help.
Dec 19, 2011 at 1:33 p.m.
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freebird - my taxes also go to paying these salaries; cause most of you forget that teachers also pay taxes.
Please don't comment on my life and what I have - my husband could have a "private sector" job where all our money is coming from! Thank you
Dec 19, 2011 at 12:29 p.m.
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Actually Freebird, almost all teachers that I know do bring in food and clothing for students on a monthly basis. I just brought in 5 garbage bags full of clothes and games for my students.
Thank you so much to the staff of the JSD for once again showing how much you care about the students and their families! Wouldnt it be nice if those who sit on here and bash the teachers put their energy towards helping others like you do!!
Dec 19, 2011 at 7:32 a.m.
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Congrats to the School District and to Nancy Nienhius and Marv Wopat for saving this program 3 years ago. This is an example of a great community.
Dec 18, 2011 at 9:45 p.m.
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The looks of wonder and heartfelt gratitude at delivery will be some of my best memories this year.
Dec 18, 2011 at 6:49 p.m.
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Awesome ! Merry Christmas !
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