ShopRite and Wakefern pledge $1.25 million to food banks to support families affected by government shutdown
ShopRite and its parent company, Wakefern Food Corp., are pledging $1.25 million in food and funds to food banks across the region to help families impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits.
Wakefern, a retailer-owned cooperative headquartered in New Jersey, said the donation will be distributed among regional food banks in communities served by its supermarket banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Di Bruno Bros., Morton Williams and Dearborn Market.
“We know many families are facing increased food insecurity and uncertainty right now, and that is why we are making this donation to food banks,” said Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp. “More than just corporate giving, our long-term commitment to fighting hunger through our ShopRite Partners In Caring program is a testament to the power of community.”
The new pledge builds on Wakefern and ShopRite’s decades-long efforts to combat food insecurity. Through the ShopRite Partners In Caring initiative, the cooperative has contributed more than $65 million to more than 2,500 charities and hunger-fighting organizations since the program began in 1999.
“Wakefern members represent family-owned businesses and live and work in the communities where their supermarkets operate,” said Sean McMenamin, Wakefern chairman and president of the Philadelphia-based McMenamin Family ShopRite. “We know the people who come into our stores – they are friends and neighbors. We’ve watched their kids grow up, celebrated milestones with them, and now, in this challenging moment, we want to help make things a little better for those who are struggling.”
The donation underscores Wakefern’s continued commitment to helping local communities weather difficult times through collective action and corporate responsibility.
