On Friday, March 11^th employees from Saint J Subaru brought 100 backpacks and hundreds of pounds of food to H.O.P.E. in Lyndonville to benefit their Backpacks for HOPE program.

In a post on February 5, HOPE posted a short message on Facebook. It read, “Good morning all! We are very short on backpacks if any of you have some old ones you'd like to donate we would be very grateful! Thank you!” Saint J Subaru saw the post and reacted quickly, purchasing 100 backpacks and working with employees and local business to help restock their shelves.

Several local businesses donated, including White’s Market and Lyndon State College in Lyndonville and Price Chopper and The Bread Store in Saint Johnsbury. Saint J Subaru also donated more than $300 toward the purchase of food, in addition to the donations from its customers and employees.

“I’m very proud of our employees, our customers, and our community for stepping up and donating to this good cause. It was very gratifying to see the shelves bulging with backpacks full of food.” said Samantha Dube, Marketing Director for Saint J Subaru.

Helping Other People Every Day (HOPE) is a “Goodwill” type of thrift store Located in Lyndonville, Vermont. HOPE accepts donations of food, clothing, household goods, books, etc. Families can receive vouchers to purchase needed clothing for children or other family members. They are an emergency food shelf and pack up at least 50 book bags a week to send home with children who may not have enough food over the weekend. They help people who have lost everything in a fire, or families who are leaving a domestic violence situation. They also make up birthday bags for senior citizens and deliver hundreds of toys and winter clothing items to families at Christmas.