Sending pizzas flying through the air, zipping down grocery store aisles, and audible tire screeching from shopping carts turning corners fast had nothing to do with frantic, last-minute shopping.

Instead, it was for a good cause after two locals won a chance to grab as many groceries as possible in under two minutes.

Winning the third annual Holiday Shopping Spree Giveaway couldn’t have come at a better time for Donna Schiltz and Marlynn Riker.

Schiltz donated all $192 worth of groceries to Crisis Intervention Services, and Riker had been laid off for four months.

“We are blessed and there is a need there, so might as well share when you can,” Schiltz said.

Crisis Intervention Services provides a safe haven for those facing issues at home. Soroptimist International of Powell recently made a donation to the center (see related story on Page 8 in today's edition of the Powell Tribune). Schiltz, a member of the group, loaded up her cart with soups, cereals, toilet paper, laundry soap and Hamburger Helper.

“They need stuff that will serve people who use the shelter over the holidays,” Schiltz said. “I checked out the aisles (at Blair’s) and found the items that would serve them the best, so I didn’t waste time on nonsense stuff.”

Riker took a similar approach to her dash through Mr. D’s.

“It was great fun; I was thrilled when I got the call, because I don’t often win things,” Riker said. “It was very needed, I was able to get things for Christmas and New Year’s dinner and help take care of my elderly mother — It was a blessing.”

Thanks to winning the shopping spree, Riker’s holiday meals will have a large ham, shrimp ring and a prime rib roast.

“That is why it was truly a blessing,” Riker said, noting she also stocked up on coffee, eggs, cheese, spices and Amish butter.

Shoppers cleared the way as both winners zipped through the aisles, and Riker was joined in by a young boy for part of her dash.

“The boy was running at me with balloons, so it was funny,” Riker said. “I added some drama to it — the (cart) wheels were squealing around corners.”

Riker rung up a bill of $219 when the dust settled.

“The folks there, the people, were very gracious,” Riker said. “I did send a Facebook (message) to Mr. D’s to thank them — they were just awesome and supportive; it was a very fun experience.”

The two Powell residents’ names were drawn out of thousands of entries in the third annual Holiday Shopping Spree Giveaway, sponsored by the Powell Tribune. Schiltz’s entry was drawn from Powell Aquatic Center, and Riker’s entry came from Powell Drug.

“I was surprised, I had never done anything like that before,” Schiltz said. “It made my innards turn to Jell-O — it was crazy.”