Wakefern Food Corp. will donate $1 million to regional food banks to help meet the dramatic increase in demand for food and essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation will be divided among 30 food banks across the company’s nine-state area – including New York and New Jersey – of supermarket banners ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace and The Fresh Grocer.
“It’s so important for us to support the food banks that are experiencing increased need and demand during this crisis,” said Joe Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corp. “In these uncertain times our members remain committed to supporting the communities our stores serve.”
The $1 million donation is the continuation of Wakefern and ShopRite’s long history of supporting regional food banks and those in need. The company’s ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund, a community-based, hunger-fighting initiative, has donated $50 million to more than 2,200 charities over the last two decades.
In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, Wakefern also donated ShopRite trailers to help move hospital equipment to pop-up field hospitals in the state, and this week the company donated respiratory protective masks to New York and New Jersey hospitals to provide much needed protection to medical personnel on the front lines.