MONROE - Students from the Monroe FFA chapter spent Monday afternoon perusing store aisles, searching out items like socks and children's coats at the request of families who need them.
The program has been in place for the last two years. Students who spent hours looking for items said it has grown since their experience last year.
Senior Dylan Steiner and junior Grant Gogin were a part of the group which split in different directions while shopping Monday in Monroe. Gogin said requests included clothing and items on Santa wish lists. Advisor Danielle Pernot sent out a general notice for Christmas lists.
"A lot of these people are people we may know," Gogin said. "We don't know the names of them, but there are people in our grades and around the community. Our advisor told us some of the stories, like there's a boy who's living on his own, and that's just really sad; like I want to do the best I can to help those people."
Steiner said the group has been growing. Last year, one family's list took roughly three hours of shopping. This year, there are 22 families, Pernot said. Steiner noted that funds from the chapter pay for the items, in addition to some anonymous donations from within the community. In total, Pernot said the chapter will spend between $2,000 to $3,000 in its adoption of these families.
"It's really something enjoyable," Steiner said.
Groups of two and three grabbed white, rectangular laundry baskets from the shelves and set them within the shopping carts to collect items listed on small slips of paper.
Junior Carli Eberle said the program helps give back in an effective way to those in the community who might need more help.
"It just warms my heart knowing we can actually help someone who can't afford to get their kid a winter coat," Eberle said, gesturing to a dark blue, polka-dotted children's jacket in the cart. "It's just nice to know you can help them out with that."
Joined by fellow juniors Haley Arneson and Sami Gough, the trio wandered through racks of children's clothing, searching out items while helping each other read the lists. Arneson said simple toiletries were common, like lotion and soap. She and Gough agreed that the best part of the shopping spree was to help others by providing necessities through chapter fundraising.
"I told my mom about this and she started crying," Gough said. "She thought it was the best thing we ever did."
The program has been in place for the last two years. Students who spent hours looking for items said it has grown since their experience last year.
Senior Dylan Steiner and junior Grant Gogin were a part of the group which split in different directions while shopping Monday in Monroe. Gogin said requests included clothing and items on Santa wish lists. Advisor Danielle Pernot sent out a general notice for Christmas lists.
"A lot of these people are people we may know," Gogin said. "We don't know the names of them, but there are people in our grades and around the community. Our advisor told us some of the stories, like there's a boy who's living on his own, and that's just really sad; like I want to do the best I can to help those people."
Steiner said the group has been growing. Last year, one family's list took roughly three hours of shopping. This year, there are 22 families, Pernot said. Steiner noted that funds from the chapter pay for the items, in addition to some anonymous donations from within the community. In total, Pernot said the chapter will spend between $2,000 to $3,000 in its adoption of these families.
"It's really something enjoyable," Steiner said.
Groups of two and three grabbed white, rectangular laundry baskets from the shelves and set them within the shopping carts to collect items listed on small slips of paper.
Junior Carli Eberle said the program helps give back in an effective way to those in the community who might need more help.
"It just warms my heart knowing we can actually help someone who can't afford to get their kid a winter coat," Eberle said, gesturing to a dark blue, polka-dotted children's jacket in the cart. "It's just nice to know you can help them out with that."
Joined by fellow juniors Haley Arneson and Sami Gough, the trio wandered through racks of children's clothing, searching out items while helping each other read the lists. Arneson said simple toiletries were common, like lotion and soap. She and Gough agreed that the best part of the shopping spree was to help others by providing necessities through chapter fundraising.
"I told my mom about this and she started crying," Gough said. "She thought it was the best thing we ever did."