Shaw’s Gives $55K to Aid ‘Kids Café’

Shaw’s Supermarkets has donated $50,000 to The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to fund its “Kids Café” programs. At a special presentation held Jan. 4 at the food bank, representatives from West Bridgewater, Mass.-based Shaw’s presented the donation to GBFB president and CEO Catherine D’Amato.

Later the same day, Shaw’s presented the Yawkey Club of Roxbury Boys & Girls Club, also in Massachusetts, with $5,000 in support of its Kids Café, as well as helping to serve that evening’s meal.

“We value our ability to help them provide much-needed food for local families who are struggling,” said Shaw’s president Mike Stigers. “Unfortunately, the number of people who are going hungry continues to rise. That need takes on an extra level of urgency when you realize how many children don’t have access to meals during non-school hours. That’s why the Kids Cafe program is so important.”

The GBFB Kids Cafe initiative provides meals to children outside of school hours, when they’re at risk of not being fed. Operated in partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the program feeds nearly 1,000 children per day, five days a week.

“In addition to the 400 meals [Shaw’s is] providing at the Kids Cafe on Friday, the financial contribution will enable us to provide an additional 118,000 meals to those in need in eastern Massachusetts,” noted D’Amato. GBFB is a member of food bank network Feeding America.

The Yawkey Club is one of several local Boys and Girls Clubs with a Kids Cafe program. As well as the $5,000 donation, Shaw’s served up more than 125 pizzas along with salads for the Jan. 4 Kids Cafe dinner.

Through such ongoing efforts as a fresh rescue program, volunteer initiatives and donations, Shaw’s strives to support area food banks and pantries.

Operating 169 stores employing about 17,000 associates in five New England states, Shaw’s and its sister banners, Osco and Star Market, are part of Minneapolis-based Supervalu.