ShopRite makes food donation to NORWESCAP

KEASBY — Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. The end of the school year means the end of breakfast and lunch and the beginning of visits to food pantries for many families with children who rely on school-provided meals during the rest of the year.

During a two-week period in June, ShopRite’s customers supported a hunger-fighting initiative, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation, donating more than $100,000 at checkout to help bring hope to the hungry.

The donations provided funds and food deliveries to charities that feed the hungry across ShopRite’s six state trading area.

In Northwest New Jersey, a trailer of food was delivered to the NORWESCAP food bank on Aug. 11 to help its neighbors in need.

“We are ever so grateful to ShopRite’s customers and to the ShopRite Partners In Caring program,” said Helene Meissner, director, NORWESCAP Food Bank.“They are our single greatest asset in the fight against hunger in our community. They get it! We all can do something, in a big or a small way, to bring help and hope to our most vulnerable citizens.”

ShopRite Partners In Caring is a year-round program that is dedicated to fighting hunger locally. Since its founding in 1999, more than $38 million has been donated to food banks that support many pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and local charities in communities surrounding ShopRite stores.

“Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a summer break, and those months can put a strain on families with children,” said Christine Magyarits, community relations manager for ShopRite. “Food insecurity is a year-round issue, but the summer months provide an added challenge. With the help and support of our store associates and customers, we are fortunate to help alleviate some of those pressures. Together we are making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”