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Despite the cold, the scene inside the staging area on Saturday was one of festive activity: Christmas music was blasting, volunteers were dancing and moving to and fro with boxes, and smiles were shared across the room as bags were filled and deliveries prepared.

Superintendent Mark Holzman said about 250 people were on hand to either help bag or deliver bag to local families and seniors.

“I think maybe a few less [due to the frigid day], but obviously we’ve got a lot of people and we have enough to do good work,” Holzman said. “It’s going to be a little cool out there today, but still a lot of warmth shared within, just camaraderie with each other and then the opportunity to share that warmth through our community.”

Holzman emphasized the history and importance of the Bags of Hope drive, noting the school district took it over in 2008 following the closure of the GM plant, which originally hosted it.

The program’s core mission is to support the essential needs of families and students during school breaks when school-provided meals and snacks are unavailable, and to offer similar support to seniors over the holidays.

Meal uncertainty

Of the more than 9,000 students who attend Janesville public schools, 53% qualify for free meals, meaning over 5,000 students may not always know where their next meal is coming from on a non-school day.

“One of the things that I love about Janesville is that there is a strong sense of community pride, a sense of people caring about and looking out for each other,” said Holzman. “The Bags of Hope drive is a terrific example of this — with hundreds of school district employees teaming up with partners at the city of Janesville and local businesses to help ensure families in need get support to have a happier holiday season during the time when children won’t have access to school meals.”

“This is something that is great for all of us to be able to do something for those who might not have as much, but also to make sure that we’re taking care of the essential needs of some of our families in the community,” said Holzman.

The effort is deeply personal for long-time volunteer Jeff Winchell, who was on-site Saturday, guiding people on where to put bags. Winchell has been volunteering since the school district took over the event after the GM plant closed, dating back to around 2009.

“My dad worked at GM, and the union did it from the beginning, you know, just helping out families in need,” Winchell said. “I work in the school district, as well. We see there are definitely families that have that need. We’re just glad to help.”

Winchell noted that while the event has grown and is “pretty well known in the community,” the coordination has remained consistent. “It’s fun. It’s nice to know you’re making a difference.”

The spirit of giving was also exemplified by the younger volunteers, including Dixie Olsen, a junior at Parker High School and member of its Student Leadership Council.

“I’m in SLC, so we do student leadership stuff, so we like helping around the community,” Olsen said.

Olsen, who was volunteering for the third year, stressed the critical nature of the donation. “I think this is a good thing. Everyone needs food, so it’s like one of the most important things to give back. So, people don’t go hungry.”

She added that it’s important to remember what community support means for those facing difficulties. “It’s good to help them because you never know, like, what’s going on at home,” Olsen stated.

The annual distribution is possible thanks to community donations and significant support from business partners.

Corporate partners assisting with this year’s drive included: Festival Foods, Dollar General, Seneca Foods and Blackhawk Community Credit Union

Additional sponsors included the Jeffris Family Foundation, Janesville (Noon) Rotary Foundation, Caliber Construction, MacFarlane Pheasants, Farm & Fleet, JP Cullen, EUA, and Woodman’s Markets.

“We’ve got some great sponsors,” Holzman noted. “I think that obviously Dollar General and Seneca Foods and Festival Foods really help us with the organization of that. But each school has fundraisers and organizations.” He also credited Fundraising Development Leader Heather North for her work.

Donations to Bags of Hope are always welcome and can be made by texting DELIVERHOPE to 41444, or by sending a check payable to the School District of Janesville, care of Bags of Hope.