Foodtown Salutes America’s Troops

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Foodtown Supermarkets held the Aug. 12 “Foodtown Supports Our Troops Kick-Off Event,” to kick off its Dollar Donation Drive benefiting the G.I. Go Fund and returning combat troops.

The event honored Foodtown chairman and CEO David Maniaci for his work on behalf of the men and women serving in the armed forces. Maniaci is also the owner of Foodtown stores in North Haledon and Cedar Grove, N.J., which were the top-earning supermarkets in the Iselin, N.J.-based retail cooperative’s previous donation drives for military service members.

“It has been 10 years since the attack on our country, and we will never forget,” affirmed Maniaci. “I feel it is a privilege and our duty as Americans to support the men and women who fight in our armed forces and to contribute to great programs like the G.I. Go Fund.”

The drive enables shoppers to donate $1 at checkout to help the troops. Additionally, donation cards are displayed with the names of customers and loved ones on individual Foodtown storefronts to show further support for returning service members. Earlier Foodtown drives for the G.I. Go Fund have been highly successful, raising almost $100,000 for the Newark, N.J.-based organization and breaking store records in the process. The drive will run through the weekend of the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

“Without the support of Mr. Maniaci, his customers, and the entire Foodtown family, our organization would not be able to provide the essential services our warriors need as they come home to the country they defended,” noted G.I. Go Fund executive director Jack Fanous. “The patriotism on display at every Foodtown, from the owners to the cashiers to the customers, is just inspiring.”