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Tuesday, August 4, 2009

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...

32 comments:

  1. I can start w. a comment and I'll definitely Blog It Forward in an upcoming post! I miss my ShopRite!

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  2. I think this is a great idea and I applaud them for it. I do not have a blog so can not blog it forward but I can pass the word.

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  3. Great idea!! Food pantries/banks are strapped and can use all the help they can get!!

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  4. Cool that your doing this! Great idea.

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  5. What a great idea! Every little bit helps for sure. :)

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  6. What a great cause. Thanks to you & them for doing this!

    Thanks so much!
    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

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  7. Glad to help. Nice idea.

    silverfox {at}rgv {dot} rr {dot}com

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  8. Thanks for helping feed the hungry!

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  9. A great idea for sure !

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  10. This is a great cause! Thanks for being a part of it!

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  11. When you are dieting, nothing tastes as wonderful as a handful of Cheerios in the middle of the night. How much more of a relief it must be for a hungry child.

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  12. Thanks for helping feed the hungry

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  13. You rock for helping out those in need! Keep up the excellent work!

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  14. what a great cause, cherrios is great for so many things..especially my husband's cholestrol

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  15. I think it's a great program. I wish more companies would get involved.

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  16. I knew they were a good company, but now I think they are great!
    I too wish more companys would do this.
    I have my "Cherrio's" every other day, still love them too :-)

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  17. What a great cause

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  18. wonderful cause we need more of these

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  19. what an excellant idea..the children need hope in this world and should never have to feel the pains of being hungry..

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  20. A good cause. I donate a bag on my payday to my local food pantry.

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  21. What a great cause. Thanks for supporting this! I will be checking out the company's website, too.

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  22. It is nice that a corporation will help out with the hunger problem. It's amazing in a country filled with what? 5 or 6 different flavors of something as simple as Cheerios that we have people going hungry.

    Good luck and thanks!

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  23. Glad to help out! Your dogs are so cute.

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  24. This is a wonderful cause and I will definitely spread the word as far as I can.

    Michele

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  25. Cheerios is a wonderful company and this is a great program. Thanks for helping to fight hunger!

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  26. This program is wonderful and I'm happy to post this message to help a hungry family in need.
    At the beginning of this year, I started buying food items which were on sale or "buy one get one free." Specifically things which food banks need. I collected 3 boxes of food and dropped them off.
    Then after reading information on the food bank's website, it became apparent that it was better for them if I donate money instead, because they have greater buying power. This is from the Feeding America website (formerly Second Harvest), "Every dollar you donate to Feeding America helps provide 9 pounds of food and grocery products to men, women and children facing hunger in our country."
    I now make donations as I am able to. I'm glad they can make the money go further and all I have to do is make a quick donation on their website. Samantha B.

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  27. ShopRite is participating in a wonderful program. I wish more stores would join a Feed the Hungry program.

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  28. I think its a wonderful program. I wish more companies would run programs like this.

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  29. Our family helps to fight hunger by donating to our local food bank.

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  30. I think this is a great idea and I applaud Shoprite and General Mills for donating.

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  31. Great Idea that General Mills and ShopRite is doing and I applaud them. I am also doing this, so save me a spot on the cereal box :-)

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