Stop & Shop Kicks Off the Giving Season With its Annual Turkey Express Program; Begins Distribution of 13,000 Turkeys to Nine Hunger Relief Organizations in New England

QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC announced today its annual Turkey Express program that supplies turkeys to hunger relief organizations in time for Thanksgiving. Kicking off on Sunday, Oct. 28, Stop & Shop will donate 13,000 turkeys to nine hunger relief organizations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island this season. The New England donation is part of a broader initiative that will distribute a total of 21,000 turkeys across the Northeast alongside several other company-led initiatives that give back to local communities during the holiday season.

“As a food retailer, fighting hunger is an integral part of who we are. Stop & Shop is fortunate to be able to help thousands of families in need in the communities we serve.”

According to a report from The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2011, 5.5 percent of Americans, or nearly 17 million, suffered "very low food security,” meaning they had to skip meals or not eat for a day because of a lack of money to buy food. Within in the U.S., there is a high demand for donations to local food banks and hunger relief organizations and the Stop & Shop Turkey Express program is just one of many ways the company is helping to meet those needs.

“During this time of year we are especially mindful of the work by the food banks and hunger relief agencies across New England as they help make the holiday season easier for families in need,” said Suzi Robinson, spokesperson for Stop & Shop New England Division. “As a food retailer, fighting hunger is an integral part of who we are. Stop & Shop is fortunate to be able to help thousands of families in need in the communities we serve.”

Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program begins in New England on Sunday, Oct. 28 with the donation of 1,000 turkeys to Foodshare in East Hartford, Conn. The additional donation of turkeys will be delivered in time for the Thanksgiving holiday to the following organizations:

• Nov. 1 – Worcester Community Food Bank, Worcester, Mass.
• Nov. 9 – Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Providence, R.I.
• Nov. 13 – The Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, Mass.
• Nov. 13 – The Food Bank of Western Mass., Hatfield, Mass.
• Nov. 15 – New Hampshire Food Bank, Manchester, N.H.
• Nov. 16 – YMCA of East Boston, East Boston, Mass.
• Nov. 17 – YMCA of Dorchester, Dorchester, Mass.
• Nov. 17 – Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club, Pawtucket, R.I.

In addition to its Turkey Express program, Stop & Shop is encouraging customers to help raise money for local food banks by participating in its 23^rd annual Food for Friends program. Starting Nov. 2 through Nov. 25, customers who donate $1, $3 or $5 at their local Stop & Shop will help support more than 300 local hunger relief organizations across the Northeast. With a goal to raise more than $2 million this holiday season, Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program will deliver 100 percent of the dollars raised – 60 percent will be allocated directly to local food pantries; 40 percent will be donated to regional food banks.

To learn more about Stop & Shop in the community, visit www.stopandshop.com. Photos of the deliveries are available upon request.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs approximately 62,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children’s educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA’s Smart Way program; has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores; and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.