Shaw’s Kicks off 2012 Spirit of Giving Food Drive

Shaw’s Supermarkets, part of Minneapolis-based Supervalu family of grocery stores, earlier this month launched its Spirit of Giving Food Drive, to which customers have already donated more than 17,000 pre-assembled food bags, or enough to provide more than 68,500 meals. The program enables Shaw’s shoppers to buy the bags, which are then donated to local hunger relief partners and food banks.

The New England grocery chain also recently donated 13,000 turkeys to six of its anti-hunger organizations across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island.

“At Shaw’s, supporting the organizations that provide hunger relief is important to us,” said Mike Stigers, president of West Bridgewater, Mass.-based Shaw’s, which operates 169 stores under the Shaw’s Osco and Star Market banners, employing about 17,000 associates in the five aforementioned states. “As a grocer, we are highly aware of the hunger problems facing people, and not only do we work hard to support the communities we serve, but [we also] are fortunate to have generous customers who have come together to help fight hunger.”

“This is a critical time of year for us as we work to provide not only holiday meals for the 143,000 men, women, and children that are food-insecure in New Hampshire, but also a time to stock our shelves and those of our partner agencies to help get through the winter months,” added Mel Gosselin, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester. “Shaw’s and their customers continue to be a great partner in the fight against hunger.”

Through Dec. 27, Shaw’s customers can buy $5, $10 or $15 bags that contain such food items as green beans and tomato sauce. Once collected, the bags will go directly to community food banks and pantries in the chain’s market area. All 169 Shaw’s locations have worked to identify local organizations within their local communities to be the recipients of the food.