By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Shrewsbury –The Shrewsbury Stop & Shop, located at 539 Boston Turnpike, presented a donation of $3,424.80 to the St. Anne’s Human Services food pantry Feb. 3.
The donation was made as part of the store’s Food for Friends program which allowed customers to make in-store donations of $1, $3 or $5 at checkout registers.
Elaine LeBlanc, the organization’s director, and Jo Ann Keegan, the food pantry manager, accepted the check from management and employees of the store.
The food pantry serves over 1,000 people a year, Keegan said.
“Donations from benefactors like Stop & Shop are so appreciated. We are so lucky to have so many who help us help those who need it,” she said. “Donations such as this one allows those who use the pantry a bit of freedom so they may be able to fill a prescription or use the money for another important need.”
For Store Manager John Costello, donations such as this one are “pillars” of the company’s philosophy of “being a good neighbor.” The store also donates on a regular basis to the Worcester County Food Bank.
“We feel it’s very important to help those in need locally,” he said. “So all of the money that was collected goes to the local food banks.”
“Our customers are wonderful and we are grateful to them, as well as our employees, for their participation,” he added.
Keegan said the St. Anne’s food pantry is always in need of items such as toiletries, coffee, cooking oil, and dish and laundry detergent. The food pantry is located at 130 Boston Turnpike Road, (Route 9). For more information call 508-799-4169 or visit www.stannesparish.org.