Janesville food drive details set
Photo 
Kim F. Ehrhardt
Photo
Jon Maglio
Photo
Dave Parr
Photo
Donna W. Stenner
JANESVILLE — The resurrected community food distribution now has a name and a date.
It also has a goal: To supply at least one bag of groceries to 200 needy Janesville families just before Christmas.
That’s the bare minimum goal, said Janesville School District Superintendent Karen Schulte. The number of bags will increase if donations allow.
Schulte said she anticipates the goal will be exceeded.
Distribution is set for the morning of Saturday, Dec. 19, but donations will be needed to buy the food beforehand, so little time remains.
The employee groups of the Janesville School District, comprising about 1,400 workers, have taken over the UAW/GM holiday food drive.
Representatives of those groups met Wednesday to firm up details. At the table were AFSCME 938 chief stewards Jim Millard and Donna Stenner, Janesville Education Association members Jon Maglio and Dave Parr, and Principal Kim Ehrhardt, representing the administrators.
Also participating were Schulte, district spokeswoman Sheryl Miller, school board member Diedre Richard and the superintendent’s secretary, Diane Wesner, who has been fielding dozens of calls about the effort.
To emphasize that this is a joint project of the employee groups, the committee chose a name: The School District of Janesville Employees’ Community Food Drive.
Student service organizations will be asked to join the effort, as will retired teachers. Parr said the United Way called, asking to participate.
One detail not yet set is a place for the packing and distribution center. A school gymnasium can’t be used because the gyms will be in use on the Friday nights before the distribution, when much of the food needs to be dropped off and stored.
Committee members suggested teaming up with a church or a local business that has the kind of parking and assembly-line space needed.
Dec 6, 2009 at 12:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
i dont think people are meaning to be so rude and negative,but it seems as though,people are constantly asking for donations,and,fundraisers for one thing or another,its got even worse since gm has closed.dont these people realize that things are tough for alot of people.most of these food baskets or bags of food go to people who already get a load of food stamps,where are the food stamps going?some of these people are getting mass amounts of food stamps,an have to get food donations?thats ridiculous.these donations should go to families where both are working,an single parents trying to make ends meet.and paying their bills and theyre still struggling,because i can assure you they are getting no food stamps from this county.by the time were done paying bills,we have a little over 50 dollars for groceries a week,an we make it,an we dont go to echo or any other organization for anything,because im sure there are others who need it worse.im not being mean or resentful,im glad theres this food drive for those who need it,but,theres some who really dont.have a happy holiday
Dec 4, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Free food people just do the foot work and you will find food for a year. Go to ECHO,go to salvation army,find out where this food is going to be given away, call the churches call you'r local 95 union and see if they have any information on free food.
Dec 4, 2009 at 8:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
There always has to be one jack*** in the crowd.I'm from Janesville but don't live there anymore. The people of Janesville are good people and are willing to go that extra mile to help others. Thanks so much to everyone involved in this giant effort. Happy Holidays to all
Dec 4, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why not use Craig Center at the Fair Grounds.
Dec 3, 2009 at 10:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
In the previous article it said that the school district had a very good idea who was in need due to reduced and free lunches and children that are under/not properly fed due to poverty. jtlis, why would you even make a comment like that for an article regarding a charitable effort, snide comments not necessary.
Dec 3, 2009 at 8:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
It will probably be the teachers since they all think they are poor.
Dec 3, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
It is great to know people care. But how are the 200 families chosen, and how can a family apply?
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.