Blog it Forward to Fight Hunger Challenge

My fellow bloggers... I have a challenge for you... It's something so simple all of us can do it... After reading this post take time to think about what you have read and then decide if you can help... In fact, just by commenting on this post you can help donate a box of Cherrios (more about that at the end)...
When I was younger and didn't want to eat something on my plate my mother use to say...
"Somewhere there is a starving little girl or boy that would be happy to have that to eat"
Of course, at the time I was too young to grasp the full meaning of what she was saying. It wasn't until several years later that I would experience what it meant to go hungry. While my story isn't as extreme as some of the people that I met during that period of my life; it did make me more aware about the issue of hunger. So, when ShopRite Partners in Caring contacted me and asked if I would be willing to help spread the word about Hunger by "Blogging it Forward to Fight Hunger" I jumped at the chance.
I could list article after article showing the alarming rate at which hunger is growing; but instead I would rather show you how as a community we can help.

ShopRite , a large grocery chain up in the North East with 217 stores in six states (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland); has already been helping to fight the problem of hunger for more than 20 years through its support of the Feeding America network (formerly America’s Second Harvest) and through participation in the Checkout Hunger program. However, they decided in 1999 to establish ShopRite Partners in Caring in response to the pervasive problems of hunger and food insecurity in the communities served by ShopRite supermarkets.

Their mission is simple...
"ShopRite Partners In Caring is committed to helping feed and meet the nutritional needs of families and the elderly who may otherwise go without and to raise awareness of the plight of the hungry by involving our vendor partners, associates and customers in the battle against hunger in the communities served by ShopRite stores."

ShopRite Partners in Caring works with more than 50 food industry manufacturers to provide $2 million annually to qualified charitable agencies in their communities. That means over a span of 10 years they have donated roughly $20 million. If you shop at ShopRite you have probably noticed tags lining the aisles that look like the one on the right. Well, each time you buy an item marked with that tag, you’re supporting one of the 50-plus partner companies whose donations help more than 1,400 hunger-fighting charities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania. All that just for buying a product you already need.

In fact, each ShopRite uses it's share of the funds to support local charities, such as emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, child care centers, battered women's shelters, senior programs, drug rehab centers, programs for the mentally and physically disabled, after school programs and other organizations that support those in need in ShopRite communities; so your purchase helps those in your own community.

Still, want to help out after loading up your cart with brands like General Mills, Kraft, Campbell's, and Pillsbury.... Then take advantage of the Check Out for Hunger program by asking your cashier for a $1, $3 or $5 donation tag at check-out; your contribution will be added to your grocery bill. Did you know that just $1 dollar can purchase 10 pounds (yes pounds) of food at a food bank. So, if you donate just a dollar every shopping trip think of how many pounds of food you could be providing to someone in need.

For those of you that don't live in the states ShopRite works with; you can still help by finding out if your local grocery store has a similar program or other organizations near you. For example, in Texas you can find out more about the The H-E-B Food Bank Assistance Program ; which supports 21 food banks and serves more than 8,000 organizations throughout Texas and Mexico.

Remember when I said that you could help just by commenting on this post? Well, ShopRite Partners in Caring and General Mills have partnered to raise awareness about the issue of hunger. For the first 30 comments, ShopRite and General Mills will donate a box of Cheerios to a local food bank. How easy is that....

So, my fellow bloggers and non-bloggers, my challenge to you is....

Can you Blog it Forward to Fight Hunger? Can you take the first small step and start to Fight Hunger?

Please post a comment about what you think about the ShopRite Partners in Caring Program .... how you help fight hunger... or plan to... or whatever is on your mind... Then after commenting why not "Blog it Foward to Fight Hunger" by posting about this program or one in your area...