Grace College students participate in Supermarket Sweep 2014

By AMANDA BANKS
Director of Public Relations, Grace College

WINONA LAKE — For the fifth year, Grace College and Mission Point Community Church will partner to host Supermarket Sweep: Give ‘Til You Drop at Owen’s Supermarket, 2211 E. Center St., Warsaw, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. This all-day event was created to allow Grace students and the surrounding community to give to those in need in our area.

The concept of this fundraising event is simple: shoppers shop for needed non-perishable food and baby products and leave them at the store for donation to area non-profits which distribute the items effectively to those in need. Products purchased for Supermarket Sweep 2015 will be donated to Combined Community Services, Our Father’s House, The Salvation Army and Heartline Pregnancy Center. Volunteers will be on hand to provide a shoppers a recommended shopping list at the entrance to Owen’s and additional volunteers will collect their donations at check-out.

Last year, more than $22,000 worth of goods were purchased during the one-day event. That equated to 14,871 pounds of food and 8,621 diapers provided to local men, women and children. Kearstin Criswell, coordinator of student involvement for Grace College and founder of Supermarket Sweep had this to say: “We are prepared for the biggest and best event ever this year. We hope to surpass last year’s collections and provide much-needed assistance to families in need throughout our community. With dedicated Grace students, the Mission Point Community Church body and a supportive community beside us, I’m confident we can do it.”

A special student competition will run from 9-11 p.m. During these hours, Grace students will compete in small groups to win a variety of prizes donated by community businesses. The friendly competition, reminiscent of the former television game show Supermarket Sweep, is designed to encourage students’ strong participation in the event, and acts as the culmination and highlight of the all-day fundraiser.

Sponsors of this year’s Supermarket Sweep: Give ‘Til You Drop include Grace College, Mission Point Community Church, DePuy Synthes, Nextremity Solutions and Wildman Business Group.

For more information, contact Kearstin Criswell at (574) 372-5100 ext. 6407 or [email protected].