Cram the Car to Benefit Catholic Charities
January 30, 2026
In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is teaming up with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Roy Schmidt Honda, Northside Ford-Lincoln, Goeckner Bros. Inc. - Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. in Effingham to “Cram the Car” with nonperishable food items, hygiene products and monetary donations for Catholic Charities’ food pantry.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations during regular business hours.
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
- Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
- Pancake mix and syrup
- Jelly
- Pasta sauce
- Cereal
- Granola
- Sugar-free canned fruit
- Low-salt canned vegetables
- Large boxes of oatmeal
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Feminine products
- Razors
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations during regular business hours.
- HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital front lobby or pre-surgical entrance –Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota – 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham
- Roy Schmidt Honda – 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
- Northside Ford-Lincoln – 1312 N. Keller Dr., Effingham
- Goeckner Bros. Inc. - Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – 600 E. Fayette Ave., Effingham
- Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. – 2309 S. Banker St., Effingham
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.
Media Contact
Vicki Macklin
Communications & Public Relations Specialist