The East Boston YMCA’s families were once again the recipients of a generous holiday donation from Stop & Shop last Wednesday.
Stop & Shop kicked off its Turkey Express program last week at the Y with the donation of hundreds of turkeys that will feed over 700 Eastie children and their families.
“Many of our parents said that the cost of preparing a traditional holiday meal was beyond their means, but receiving a free turkey made it possible,” said Executive Director of the East Boston Y Joey Cuzzi. “We estimate that the Stop & Shop give-a-way will help feed 700 children in our community this Thanksgiving. That’s a lot to be thankful for, and we are enormously grateful to Stop & Shop.”
Stop & Shop donated 13,000 turkeys to the Y and eight other hunger relief organizations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. In total, Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program will donate 20,000 turkeys across the Northeast as part of several company-led initiatives to help combat hunger this holiday.
The donation comes on the heels of a new study by Feeding America that finds many Americans are now repeatedly depending on food pantries and other charitable food services to meet regular, rather than temporary, food needs. As 54 percent of those in need visit food pantries as a “normal” part of their monthly supplement, Stop & Shop’s turkey donation will help now more than ever before.
“Given the high demand for resources this year, food banks are stretched to do more with less,” said Suzi Robinson for Stop & Shop New England. “We’re pleased to be able to continue to offer these food banks relief and help feed nearly 130,000 people in New England this holiday season.”
In addition to its Turkey Express program, Stop & Shop is encouraging customers to help raise money for local food banks by participating in its 22nd annual Food for Friends program. Now through December 8, 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.
Cut line,
Alex Loza picks up a turkey from Stop & Shop District Director Michael Ferrante last week at the East Boston YMCA as Afefa Mousaed looks on.
East Boston YMCA’s Rudy Vazquez (left) looks on as a family receives their turkey donated through Stop & Shops Turkey Express program.
East Boston families pose for a picture with representatives of the East Boston YMCA and Stop & Shop during the turkey give away.
East Boston YMCA’s Russell Lamberti helps hand out turkeys. (2 photos)
Rudy Vazquez and Russell Lamberti spread a little holiday cheer for Eastie families.
Russell Lamberti poses with the recipient of a free turkey.
Russell Lamberti with one of his Y kids during last weeks program.