Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop, together with Unilever’s Knorr brand, announced that its Food for Friends campaign raised more than $1.2 million for its 12 regional food bank partners to combat summer hunger in the communities it serves.
According to Feeding America, 22 million kids across the U.S. rely on school meals. When schools close for the summer, school meal programs often close too.
Stop & Shop’s annual Food for Friends donation campaign is allowing customers at the grocer’s more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey to donate at checkout to support food insecure families across the Northeast, with 100 percent of donations going directly to Stop & Shop’s 12 regional food bank partners.
“This month-long campaign serves to renew hope for so many families that are currently struggling, allowing kids to enjoy a fun and healthy summer of play and time outdoors rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from,” said Gordon Reid, president.
“This program also shows the value of communities coming together to support one another, and Stop & Shop’s steadfast commitment to helping our food bank partners provide nutritious food to families in need.”
Throughout June, customers who shopped in stores were asked if they would like to round up their total to the nearest dollar or donate an additional $1, $3 or $5, and Stop & Shop donated 100 percent of the funds raised to regional food banks across its footprint. Knorr also donated $10,000 and 5,000 rice and pasta sides to Feeding Westchester as part of its annual support of this campaign.
“Unilever’s Knorr brand believes that wholesome, nutritious food should be accessible and affordable to all,” said Christina DiPietro, Unilever team lead. “We are proud to be Stop & Shop’s first manufacturer partner for their annual Food for Friend’s campaign helping to raise over $1 million to benefit local food banks helping to fight food insecurity in our communities.”
Funds raised during the campaign will benefit the following food banks: The Greater Boston Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Connecticut Foodshare, Feeding Westchester, Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, Food Bank for New York City, Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Fulfill, Island Harvest and Long Island Cares.
For more information on Stop & Shop’s programs to support local communities, visit stopandshop.com/community.
