Shaw's Supports The Greater Boston Food Bank With $50,000 Donation

Shaw’s® Supermarkets recently presented The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) with a donation of $50,000 to help support their Kids Cafe programs. Representatives from Shaw's presented the donation to Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank during a special presentation held at the GBFB facility on January 4. Later that same day, Shaw’s also presented the Yawkey Club of Roxbury Boys & Girls Club with $5,000 in support of their Kids Cafe and helped serve that evening’s meal.

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank, and we value our ability to help them provide much-needed food for local families who are struggling,” said Mike Stigers, president, Shaw’s. “Unfortunately, the number of people who are going hungry continues to rise. That need takes on an extra level of urgency when you realize how many children don’t have access to meals during non-school hours. That’s why the Kids Cafe program is so important, and we are grateful to be able to help support it.”

The GBFB Kids Cafe program provides meals to children during out of school hours when they are often in danger of not being fed. Conducted in partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, the program feeds close to 1,000 children per day, five days a week.

”We are grateful for this generous donation from Shaw’s. In addition to the 400 meals they are providing at the Kids Cafe on Friday, the financial contribution will enable us to provide an additional 118,000 meals to those in need in eastern Massachusetts,” said D’Amato.

The Yawkey Club of Roxbury is one of several local Boys and Girls Clubs with a Kids Cafe program. In addition to the $5,000 donation, Shaw’s leaders also provided more than 125 pizzas as well as salads for the Kids Cafe to serve during the dinner service on January 4.

According to the USDA, nearly 15 percent of U.S. households were food insecure in 2011. Shaw’s and its customers recognize the importance of feeding those in need particularly during a rough economic period. Through a variety of efforts such as its fresh rescue program, volunteer efforts and donations, Shaw’s continually works to support area food banks and pantries.

About SHAW’S Supermarkets
SHAW’S, Osco and Star Market are part of the nationwide SUPERVALU® INC. (NYSE: SVU) family of grocery stores. SHAW’S is one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States with its roots dating to 1860. Throughout five New England states, there are 169 store locations employing approximately 17,000 associates. For more details on Shaw’s Supermarkets, visit www.shaws.com or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shaws.

About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB distributes nearly 40 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to 550 member hunger-relief agencies and more than 30 direct service programs throughout eastern Massachusetts in a dedicated partnership to end hunger in our region. This provides meals for as many as 545,000 people a year. GBFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank), or call us at 617.427.5200.