Every year, students from J.A. Williams (JAWS) High School in Lac La Biche collect food and fund donations for local food banks by filling police cruisers with donated groceries as part of the ‘JAWS Cruisin’ for Christmas’ fundraising event.
The 2024 edition of ‘Cruisin for Christmas’ took place on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 12:30 to 7 p.m. at Britton’s Your Independent Grocer in Lac La Biche. While some students assisted in bagging groceries for customers, others greeted people as they came into the grocery store, and handed out sheets listing the food items that are most needed, including canned vegetables, canned meat, rice, paste and sauce. Those who stopped by could enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn while listening to seasonal, festive music performed by students from the local high school.
JAWS staff, some students in the Portage College Community Social Work program, as well as the Lac La Biche RCMP detachment were also at the event to help out and accept donated bags of groceries.
As soon as shopping carts were filled, students ventured into the cold afternoon to place the contents into the back of an RCMP vehicle parked outside.
All donations from the annual ‘Cruisin’ for Christmas’ event go to the Portage College food bank, Out of the Elements Shelter, as well as JAWS student services.