Grace College students Emily Roberts and Kendra Kooiker holding items for purchase at Supermarket Sweep.

WINONA LAKE — Grace College & Seminary partnered with Mission Point Community Church to sponsor the sixth annual Supermarket Sweep on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Owen’s Market in Warsaw. More than 500 students and many community members participated. Grace students raised $13,542 and the community raised $11,789 for a grand total of $25,331.

Supermarket Sweep was an opportunity for the community to give back. During the event, shoppers purchased non-perishable food and baby products. The items were packed and donated to local non-profit organizations. These included The Salvation Army, Combined Community Services, Our Father’s House and Heartline Pregnancy Center.

“I love this event because it shows that serving can be fun,” said Kearstin Criswell, director of student involvement at Grace. “More students participated than in previous years. It was great to see upperclassmen build momentum for first-year students.” During the event, the winners of challenges won gift cards, enabling them to purchase more items. “Students did crazy things for the gift cards,” said Criswell. “Shopping cart races and cupcake eating contests, to name a couple.”

Sponsors of this year’s Supermarket Sweep include Grace College & Seminary, Mission Point Church, PayProTec, Nextremity and Wildman Business Group. “We could not have done this without them,” said Criswell.

Another opportunity to support the community is coming soon. Grace College students welcome the community to Night Market from 2-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in the Winona Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave, Winona Lake. This alternative Christmas shopping experience offers an assortment of unique, handmade gifts from local vendors who share their proceeds with a variety of causes. More information to come.