Because in Ashland, giving isn’t just a holiday tradition — it’s a way of life
ASHLAND — As Christmas approaches, one local grocery store is proving once again that the spirit of giving is alive and thriving in Ashland.
Save A Lot’s annual “Bags for a Brighter Holiday” campaign is well underway, and the outpouring of generosity from the community has left assistant manager Deb Howald nearly speechless and deeply grateful.
“We started November 1st and it goes through Dec 24th, but 2 weeks into our Bags for a Brighter Holiday donation campaign we already had over 800 donations,” Howald said. “Our town is showing how this community really cares for each other. Y’all are just absolutely amazing and I am blown away by how truly caring and special this town and community is!”
But the momentum didn’t stop there. By the time Howald checked donation numbers again, the Ashland Save A Lot had surpassed 1,000 donated bags, pushing the store even further into 2nd place nationwide within the company just 76 bags behind a Pennsylvania location.
A Campaign That Gives Twice
This year’s effort carries an extra layer of excitement thanks to a national incentive program tied to donation totals.
Howald explained, “I forgot one more detail that’s probably one of the coolest pieces of this. Save A Lot does a tier incentive for the donations. 250 donations earns the charity a $250 gift card, 500 earns $500, and 1,000 donations earns a $1,000 Save A Lot gift card. It will be issued to them after the conclusion of the campaign. So with us already over 1,000, we earned the ability to give them even more.”
That means Associated Charities of Ashland already receiving hundreds of donated meal bags will now also receive a $1,000 grocery gift card to support local families. A Holiday Campaign That Feeds Hope
A Holiday Campaign That Feeds Hope
The Bags for a Brighter Holiday program is a simple but powerful act of kindness:
Purchase a bag: Shoppers buy pre-assembled bags filled with pantry staples like canned vegetables, stuffing mix, and other holiday essentials.
Place it in the donation box: Purchased bags are dropped into collection boxes near the store entrance.
Help a local family: Save A Lot then delivers the bags to Associated Charities of Ashland, ensuring families in need have food on their tables this holiday season.
The store’s donation box has filled so quickly this year that employees can “barely make the bags fast enough,” according to Howald. Customers have stepped in to help and now the store hopes more volunteers from the community might join the effort.
A Call for Volunteers
With donations pouring in faster than they can be assembled, Save A Lot welcomes anyone who would like to volunteer to help put together the bags before they’re delivered to Associated Charities.
“It’s been such a great start… We’ve had such a wonderful outpouring of support from our customers this year that we cannot make the bags fast enough,” Howald said. “We thought maybe a story might help if anyone wants to come volunteer.”
A Community That Shines
Ashland has long been known for stepping up in difficult times, and this holiday season is no exception. In just 14 days, residents have made a measurable impact on local families and they’re putting their small-town store on the national map.
“Our amazing town has put us in second place for the company,” Howald said proudly. “This community… absolutely wonderful.”
With Christmas still weeks away, there’s plenty of time to push Ashland into the top spot and more importantly, to brighten the holidays for even more families across the county.
Those wishing to support the campaign may stop in to purchase a donation bag or inquire about volunteering opportunities at Save A Lot, 161 Center Street.
