Stop & Shop Kicks Off Annual Hunger Action Month

Supermarket company asks customers to help share meals and give thanks to communities across the Northeast

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Aug 28, 2014, 04:39 ET

PURCHASE, N.Y. and QUINCY, Mass., Aug. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is kicking off Feeding America's Hunger Action Month™ by asking customers to join in its mission to share meals and give thanks to communities across the Northeast in September. According to the USDA http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx, one in six people in America is at risk of hunger, which is nearly 50 million Americans who do not always know where they will get their next meal.

"This year's program could not have come at a better time as demand for food across the country is on the rise, placing more of a burden on local and regional food providers who are trying to do more with less," said Don Sussman, president of Stop & Shop New York Metro Division. "Programs like Food for Friends are a great way for our customers to get involved with helping their local community."

"As part of our efforts to be a better neighbor and strengthen our communities, providing food to those in need is a crucial part of our mission," said Joe Kelley, president of Stop & Shop New England Division. "As we mark our 100^th anniversary, we look forward to many more years of offering affordable food to families and continuing our hunger relief programs."

Customers can donate $1 at their local Stop & Shop to help support more than 300 local hunger relief organizations across the Northeast. Stop & Shop's Food for Friends program will deliver 100 percent of the dollars raised to the organizations – 60 percent will be allocated directly to local food pantries; 40 percent will be donated to regional food banks.

During the month of September, for each donation made to support Stop & Shop's Food for Friends program, Unilever will donate $1 to Feeding America® up to $47,000 across all store division hunger-relief campaigns taking place at check-out. One dollar helps provide 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. In addition, customers who donate will receive a thank you booklet featuring Unilever brand recipes and up to $3 in coupon savings.

In conjunction with Unilever, Stop & Shop will host a Stuff-A-Truck food drive event on Friday, September 12^th in their Worcester, MA store to benefit Worcester County Food Bank and Saturday, September 13^th in their Levittown, NY store to benefit Island Harvest food bank. The supermarket is encouraging customers to donate non-perishable items to help put food on the table of those in need and make a difference for thousands in our local communities. Visit www.feedourfamilies.org for more information.

To learn more about Stop & Shop's hunger relief efforts and community programs, visit www.stopandshop.com.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs approximately 59,000 associates and operates 395 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children's educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA's Smart Way program and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com or www.facebook.com/stopandshop.

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SOURCE Stop & Shop