Stop and Shop customers step up to donate

While I was away on vacation, Food Sourcing Manager Ernie Pitti represented Foodshare as Stop & Shop Supermarkets presented a donation at the New Year's Day New England Patriots game.  Here's his report:

“New Year’s Day 2012 not only marked the beginning of a new year with new dreams and hopes, but this New Year’s Day was special for another reason.  On this day, all the regional food banks in New England (where Stop & Shop has stores) were the invited guests of Stop & Shop at the New England Patriots game at the stadium in Foxoboro.  The Stop & Shop  Food For Friends  Campaign ended a few weeks earlier and Stop & Shop invited us to the game to present each of us with a check for our share of the proceeds.    This program where store customers are encouraged to donate $1, $3  or $5 at the register to help feed area people has had a huge response in the past  several years.  This year’s campaign resulted in a check presented (to Foodshare) at the game of over $92,000, money sorely needed and deeply appreciated by everyone in our organization.  Pictured from left to right  are Tino Rovero  (VP of S&S and Foodshare Board member) with his daughter Saige, Dan Utz, (Manager of the Old Saybrook store), Ernie Pitti (Foodshare), and Mark McGowan (Stop & Shop New England Division President).

"Not only was I fortunate enough to be present for the check presentation, but all of us were treated to a very special ‘tailgate’ luncheon with guest appearances by a number Patriot player alumni, some members of the present cheerleading squad, and treated to great seats to watch the Patriots play the Buffalo Bills.

"Thank you Stop & Shop and your customers who participated in the Food For Friends Campaign.  The check will help immensely!”