The Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Stop & Shop and Poland Spring gathered at the Sturdy Health Cancer and Specialty Care Building for a Food Security Program event focused on assisting cancer patients and families with practical support during treatment.
During the event, 10 cancer patients and their families each received $1,000 Stop & Shop gift cards to help ease grocery costs. Each family also received a year of free Poland Spring water through its Customer Direct delivery service.
The event brought together patient families, Team JAF Boston Marathon runners and representatives from the foundation, Stop & Shop, Poland Spring and Sturdy Health. Discussion centered on food security, community support and easing the financial burden cancer can place on families.
Stop & Shop and Poland Spring each presented the Joe Andruzzi Foundation with a check for $25,000. Since the partnership began in 2023, Stop & Shop has donated $275,000 and Poland Spring has donated $100,000 to support the foundation’s Food Security Program.
“This partnership has grown into something meaningful for the families we serve,” said Jen Andruzzi, president and CEO of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. “When someone is in treatment, even a basic trip to the grocery store can become another source of stress. This support helps relieve that pressure in a real, immediate way, and it means so much to see these families surrounded by people and partners who want to help.”
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation provides financial assistance for housing, transportation, utilities, food, insurance and other essential living expenses to New England cancer patients and their families. The foundation was established in 2008 by former New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Andruzzi and his wife Jen following Joe’s successful battle with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt’s lymphoma.
“At Stop & Shop, fighting hunger and nourishing our communities are central to who we are,” said Jennifer Barr, director of external communications and community relations at Stop & Shop.
“No one undergoing cancer treatment should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. We’re proud to partner with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation and Poland Spring to help provide access to food and essential support, so patients and their families can focus on healing and caring for their health.”
Stop & Shop is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company that employs nearly 50,000 associates and operates more than 350 stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.
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