Annual Food for Friends Program to support over 300 local and regional food banks
Published 12-21-10
Submitted by Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, The
/PRNewswire/ - The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company set a new record in 2010 with its annual Food for Friends campaign. Over $2 million - a 40% increase from 2009 - will be donated to more than 300 local food pantries and regional food banks throughout Stop & Shop's operating areas this year.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers and associates for their tremendous generosity and support of our annual Food for Friends program," said Mark McGowan, New England division president of Stop & Shop. "The need is great - even more so this year. These efforts will allow our regional and local food bank partners to provide meals to thousands of families in our communities."
Stop & Shop's 21st annual Food for Friends program ran in all 398 Stop & Shop stores from October 29th through December 10th. Customers donated $1, $3, or $5 "paper turkeys" at their local Stop & Shop. Customer contributions accounted for 90% of the $2 million; Stop & Shop contributed $500 per store.
Sixty percent of the funds will go directly to hundreds of local food pantries that stores adopt in each community. Forty percent will be allocated to the following state food banks:
"We are proud of this program - it's truly a united effort between our customers and associates," said Ron Onorato, New York Metro division president of Stop & Shop. "It's overwhelming to see the generosity and spirit that exists to help others."
Exemplifying this point, the following Stop & Shop stores and customers raised the most in their communities:
About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company employs nearly 62,000 associates and operates 398 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores. Stop & Shop has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores and is also a member of the EPA's Smart Way program. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.
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