EDISON, NJ – It may seem like a disconnect for someone surrounded by food all day to think about the issue of hunger, but that is exactly what was top of mind among ShopRite stores associates for nearly two months last year. In a mission to raise hope and funds for the hungry and to increase awareness of the issue of hunger, 43 ShopRite stores participated in a six week contest during September National Hunger Awareness Month, sponsored by ShopRite and General Mills.
Through their commitment, ShopRite associates raised nearly $500,000 towards fighting hunger in their local communities. To recognize this dedication and effort, 86 ShopRite associates, selected by their peers, will represent their stores on a special-edition Cheerios box. The commemorative boxes will be available exclusively at ShopRite stores in March. In addition, each store was awarded $1,000 to donate to a hunger charity of its choice.
Among this year’s winning stores was the ShopRite of Cheltenham (Philadelphia, PA) which selected Associate, Deborah Cooper of Philadelphia and Associate, Tracey Smith-Lightfoot of Philadelphia to be honored on 150,000 special-edition Cheerios boxes for their store’s commitment. The box will be unveiled during a ceremony at the ShopRite of Cheltenham on March 25, 2010 at 9:30 am.
The theme of this year’s Cheerios box is “Leading the Way to End Hunger” and features the store associates on a path toward raising funds, growing awareness, feeding families and ending hunger in a field of hope.
“We are so thankful to ShopRite associates for their dedication to help those in their community who struggle with the issue of hunger,” said Christine Magyarits, spokesperson for ShopRite Partners In Caring. “It is truly remarkable how the involvement in our hunger-fighting activities grows every year, increasing the money raised for people in need. We are grateful to the leadership of our store associates and the support of General Mills, who make this all possible.”
The $500,000 raised was a result of offering $1 donation cards to customers at checkout, constructing displays to bring awareness to the issue of hunger and holding in-store events to support the cause. General Mills donated an additional $20,000 to the ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund, which is a component fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey.
The winning stores are (short list):
New Jersey:
ShopRite of Newton, ShopRite of Brookdale, ShopRite of Greenwich, ShopRite of Clinton, ShopRite of Mansfield, ShopRite of Byram, ShopRite of Flemington, ShopRite of Succasunna, ShopRite of West Caldwell, ShopRite of Ramsey, ShopRite of Somerset, ShopRite of Brooklawn, ShopRite of Passaic, ShopRite of Evesham Road, ShopRite of Mount Laurel, ShopRite of Flanders, ShopRite of Garden State Pavilion, ShopRite of Franklin, ShopRite of Marlton, ShopRite of Netcong, ShopRite of Montague, ShopRite of Lyndhurst, ShopRite of Rio Grande, ShopRite of Metro Plaza, ShopRite of Mullica Hill, ShopRite of Marmora, ShopRite of Medford
Pennsylvania:
ShopRite of Parkside, ShopRite of Daleville, ShopRite of Snyder Plaza, ShopRite of Morrell Plaza, ShopRite of Mount Pocono, ShopRite of Warminster, ShopRite of Cheltenham, ShopRite of Island Avenue, ShopRite of Aramingo Avenue
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