Stop & Shop Donates Over $325,000 to CFBNJ

Stop & Shop presented a check for more than $325,000 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) at the Boys & Girls Club of Lodi, one of the organization’s Summer Meal Program sites. Stop & Shop’s number one charitable effort is to fight hunger across its region and was honored that its donation will help CFBNJ to combat food insecurity across New Jersey. The donation is part of a larger $2.4 million donation from Stop & Shop to eight Feeding America food banks across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut to support programs that fight against food insecurity.

The donation from Stop & Shop came from a combination of its in-store ‘Food for Friends’ campaign, which ran from May 5th to June 4th, and the Stop & Shop Family Foundation. Over $125,000 was raised through the ‘Food for Friends’ campaign and $200,000 was donated from the Stop & Shop Family Foundation to support CFBNJ’s Summer Meals and Kids Cafe Programs.

CFBNJ’s Summer Meals Program provides breakfast and lunch to children across the state who receive free school meals during the academic year. Sites include Boys & Girls Clubs, recreation centers, libraries and more.

Through the Kids Cafe Program, CFBNJ provides nourishing after-school meals to children, so they don’t go to sleep with empty stomachs. For Northern New Jersey locations, CFBNJ’s Kids Cafe meals are prepared in CFBNJ’s professional on-site kitchen. The Kids Cafe program also includes a nutrition education component aimed at teaching students about well-balanced diets and exercise.

“As a major grocery retailer serving New Jersey, we have seen firsthand how food insecurity and a lack of access to fresh and healthy food can negatively impact our community members, especially children,” said Gordon Reid, President at Stop & Shop. “We are proud to donate over $325,000 to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in an effort to help our neighbors combat hunger by gaining more access to healthy food, and feed children so they may grow, succeed, and not need to worry about when their next meal will come.”

According to the USDA, more than 38 million people, including 12 million children, in the United States are food insecure. According to CFBNJ, more than 650,000 people in New Jersey are food insecure, including 175,000 children.

CFBNJ relies on the generosity of organizations like Stop & Shop. Stop & Shop’s Meat the Needs, ‘Food for Friends’ campaign, Annual Turkey Express Program, Stop & Shop Family Foundation donation, School Food Pantry Program, and direct support are a few of the many ways the company supports anti-hunger organizations in the communities it serves.

“Stop & Shop is a crucial supporter of our child nutrition programs and an incredible partner year-round,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “They’ve stepped up in every way, giving food, funds, and time in support of our mission. We’re grateful for this latest donation and for their steadfast partnership.”

The donation of over $325,000 will enable CFBNJ to better serve community members across the state of New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop’s community support; visit: https://stopandshop.com/pages/our-purpose.