The Stop & Shop Supermarket store donated $1,194 to assist the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (PNC) in its various food programs. Stephen Russo, Store Manager, Stop & Shop, presented the check to Vicki Anderson, Executive Director, PNC.
“It’s a pleasure to present this donation as part of our Food for Friends campaign,” Stephan said. “It’s something we’ve done here for 12 years because we believe it is important to support the PNC in its effort to alleviate hunger in our community. It’s part of a commitment Stop & Shop has to give back to the community.”
In accepting the donation, Vicki thanked Stop & Shop and its customers, pointing to the store’s long-standing commitment to help feed the hungry as proof that Stop & Shop cares about people.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in the request for assistance of all sorts, particularly food in these difficult economic times,” she said. “Our motto is neighbors helping neighbors, and we work hard to do that, but we can’t succeed without the generous assistance from Stop & Shop and many others in the community. I just can’t thank Stop & Shop and its customers enough for this generous donation.”
The PNC operates an emergency food locker, runs a weekender backpack program for local youth, provides holiday food baskets and runs lunches for senior citizens. “Addressing hunger in our community is a very big part of our work,” Vicki said.
Stephan said, “The money was collected here over several months, and company-wide at stores throughout the Northeast. Stop & Shop has more than 500 stores and plays a significant role in local fund-raising for non-profit groups throughout its service area.”
Carl Schlicker, President & CEO, Stop & Shop, said “Food for Friends is an important part of Stop & Shop’s commitment to giving.”
“During these difficult economic times we are working harder than ever to fight hunger in our communities. According to our food bank partners, food insecurity issues are expanding across the country. The new face of hunger could be a neighbor or a friend. Stop & Shop customers and associates have always stepped forward to help those less fortunate.”
This year, Food for Friends was held in conjunction with Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program, which donated more than 20,000 turkeys to food banks throughout CT, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine and Rhode Island.
Food for Friends involved the sale of paper turkeys at checkout for $1, $3, $5 denominations. If they desired, customers put their names on the turkeys, which were displayed throughout the store. One hundred percent of the money was donated to the local hunger relief effort.
