Catholic Charities and ShopRite Supermarkets Kick Off Annual Campaign to Feed Hungry Families in Hudson Valley
Feeding Our Neighbors 2022 to run through March 19
HUDSON VALLEY, NY – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York (which covers 10 counties including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties) joined with ShopRite Supermarkets at the Carmel store location to kick off the Feeding Our Neighbors campaign. ShopRite’s 26 stores in the Hudson Valley are participating in the annual winter drive to raise food and funds to replenish Catholic Charities’ food distribution programs throughout the region. Participating ShopRite stores will coordinate point of sale collections from Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 19. At checkout, shoppers will be invited to make donations of cash or non-perishable food.
This is the 8th year that the two organizations have teamed up to fight food insecurity in the communities they serve. Over that time, more than $560,000 has been raised during the annual two-week campaign. Those funds helped Catholic Charities make nearly two million meals available to hungry neighbors. In addition, many thousands of pounds collected through in-store distributions have been shared directly with area food pantries and soup kitchens.
Shannon Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster, spoke on behalf of the Catholic Charities agencies of the Archdiocese of New York. “The pandemic has been especially hard on the marginalized and vulnerable populations served by Catholic Charities. Much of our work over the past two years has been focused on ensuring that people in need have good food to eat. We are exceptionally grateful to our friends at ShopRite and their customers for their tremendous commitment to feeding our hungry neighbors. Every dollar donated at check-out, every food item dropped in the collection box will make a difference,” said Kelly.
The Carmel ShopRite was 2021’s top Feeding Our Neighbors fundraiser earning them the honor of hosting this year’s kick-off event. The $6400 raised last year helped Catholic Charities provide about 20,000 meals.
“ShopRite is a proud community partner and we’re exceptionally fortunate to have store associates and customers who embrace our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Michael Schoendorf, Vice President of Operations for ShopRite. “The folks at our 26 stores know that supporting programs like Catholic Charities and Feeding Our Neighbors helps to make our communities stronger and healthier.”
Catholic Charities and ShopRite leadership joined with elected officials, members of Carmel Rotary Club, other community organizations, store associates, customers, and students from St. James’ Catholic School to launch the food drive and bring attention to issues of hunger throughout the region.
Hunger can affect people from all walks of life and the pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity for many. Millions of people in America are just one emergency away from hunger. According to the USDA, 38 million people, including 12 million children, in the US are food insecure. Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and visit their local food banks and other food programs for extra support. This has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic.
While the Feeding Our Neighbors campaign takes place just two weeks each year, the need to feed the hungry lasts all year long. For more information about making a donation of cash or food, contact your local food pantry or Catholic Charities office.
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