Stop & Shop Kicks Off its Holiday Fundraising Drive to Help Fight Hunger

announced Monday that its 22nd annual Food for Friends program will kick-off on Fri., Oct. 28 and will run in all 398 stores through Dec. 8. Customers who donate $1, $3, or $5 at their local Stop & Shop will help support hunger relief organizations within their local communities as well as regionally. Customers who donate $5 to Food for Friends will also receive a $5 coupon booklet from Kraft Foods (while supplies last). Stop & Shop’s goal is to raise more than $2 million this holiday season.

Based on the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 poverty report, last year, 17.2 million households were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the U.S. As economic times remain tough for many families, regional food banks and pantries are depending more on donations from company initiatives such as Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program.

In its 22nd year, 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. Last year, Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends program raised $2 million to feed families in need.

“This year’s program could not have come at a better time as demand for food across the country is on the rise, placing more of a burden on local and regional food providers who are trying to do more with less,” said Mark McGowan, president, Stop & Shop New England Division. “Programs like Food for Friends are a great way for our customers to get involved with helping their local community.”