The Greater Boston Food Bank surpasses its fundraising goal by 25 percent, raising more than $2.5 million

The successful six-week campaign, which encouraged coworkers, friends and families to form teams to challenge one another to achieve a team fundraising goal, was sponsored by Stop & Shop, a GBFB Cornerstone Circle member and partner for over 30 years, and Citizens Bank, a GBFB President's Circle and partner for nearly 20 years.

"We are grateful that our community, led by our longstanding partners, Stop & Shop and Citizens Bank, united this spring to help us not only meet our goal of six million meals for our neighbors struggling with hunger, but far surpass it," said Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank.

One in 10 people in Eastern Massachusetts is at risk of hunger every day in Eastern Massachusetts. For every dollar donated, GBFB can distribute three healthy meals. The proceeds from the "Give Meals. Give Hope." campaign will provide the equivalent of 7.5 million meals through GBFB's network of 530 member agencies, including food pantries, meal programs and shelters.

"We are proud to have partnered with The Greater Boston Food Bank on the "Give Meals. Give Hope." fundraising campaign. The success of this important campaign allows the food bank to assist more of our neighbors in need throughout Eastern Massachusetts," said Mark McGowan, President of Stop & Shop.

"Too many of our neighbors go without a nutritious meal too many days of the year. It is inspiring to see how our colleagues, customers, and the community came together to provide meals – and hope – to those at risk of hunger in our communities," said Jerry Sargent, president, Citizens Bank, Massachusetts. "We were so proud to team up with The Greater Boston Food Bank and Stop & Shop on this campaign, and couldn't be more pleased with the results."

About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB provides the equivalent of more than 48 million healthy meals annually, distributed through its network of 530 member agencies across Eastern Massachusetts. GBFB operates four direct service programs at nearly 70 sites throughout the area. A member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network, GBFB serves more than 140,000 people every month in its goal to create a hunger-free Eastern Massachusetts. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank), or call us at 617.427.5200.

About Stop & Shop 
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs over 61,000 associates and operates 415 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 stopandshop.com or facebook.com/stopandshop.                               

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, with $149.5 billion in assets as of December 31, 2016. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens helps its retail customers "bank better" with mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,200 ATMs and approximately 1,200 Citizens Bank branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Citizens also provides wealth management, mortgage lending, auto lending, student lending and commercial banking services in select markets nationwide. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest hedging, leasing and asset finance, specialty finance and trade finance.

Citizens operates through its subsidiaries Citizens Bank, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania as Citizens Bank, Citizens Commercial Banking and Citizens One. Additional information about Citizens and its full line of products and services can be found at www.citizensbank.com.

SOURCE The Greater Boston Food Bank

Related Links

http://gbfb.org