The Greencastle Kroger store, 821 Indianapolis Rd, generously hosted the Hartman Center for Civic Engagement at DePauw University and Purdue Extension-Putnam County, in coordination with the Putnam County Pantry Coalition, as they put on their second Supermarket Sweep on Monday, April 18.

While the public was able to take part by shopping for items on the list throughout the day, it was really the youth who enjoyed the competitive philanthropy event. First up were teams from the local Putnam County 4H clubs. They held competitions prior to the Sweeps event to win gift cards they could use to shop for the event. The winning team gets a pizza party.

Later in the evening, several DePauw groups, fraternities, and sororities joined the competition. They signed in as teams, competing against each other to donate the most. While racing to fill the shopping list the fastest, they also competed in challenges throughout the store, earning more money to put toward their total donation.

Food pantries connected with the Putnam County Pantry Coalition will benefit from all donations received; which include Hope and Love Pantry (Bainbridge), Two Fish Food Pantry and Faith (Bainbridge), Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry efforts in Bainbridge, Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry efforts in Cloverdale, St. Andrew’s Non-Food Pantry (Greencastle), Greencastle Christian Church (Greencastle), New Life Baptist Church, (Greencastle), Grace Tabernacle (Greencastle), Roachdale Christian Church (Roachdale), and Russellville Community Church (Russellville).

As of April 19, 2022, the total number of donations has reached $7,100; however, not all donations have been tallied yet.