About 50 volunteers from supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. and the ShopRite in Old Bridge, New Jersey, cleared about 30 bags of litter and debris from Old Bridge Waterfront Park on Earth Day, April 22.
Wakefern volunteers who collected nearly 400 pounds of trash from the park during an Earth Month volunteer day last year wanted to come back and continue their efforts.
The New Jersey-based retailer-owned supermarket co-op is also the distribution and merchandising arm of ShopRite stores. The ShopRite opened last year in the Glenwood Green Shopping Plaza on Route 9 in Old Bridge.
“Old Bridge ShopRite associates are thrilled to be part of this effort to keep our local park clean for park goers and the wildlife that live there,” said Perry Blatt, director of e-commerce and business development for Village Super Market Inc., a Wakefern member company and the family business that owns the store in Old Bridge.
“Our commitment to service extends beyond our supermarket into the neighborhoods where our stores operate. Community is important to us because we are family-run here; we live here and work here.”
Alexandra Emery, manager of sustainability and corporate social responsibility for Wakefern and ShopRite, added: “It is our great privilege to work with the Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation and ShopRite of Old Bridge to help clean up Old Bridge Waterfront Park and keep harmful litter out of the Raritan Bay.
“Our Wakefern team members take pride in the work they do for our cooperative members and customers. But days like this – when we get to step outside and make a difference in the communities our stores serve – are extra special.”
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