Stop & Shop Donates $10K In Food To Milford Public Schools

Press release from Stop & Shop:

Dec. 20, 2020

In an effort to reduce hunger among students in the communities it serves, Stop & Shop has donated $10,000 to Milford Public Schools in Milford, Mass., to support a district-wide school based food pantry.

Twenty percent of children in Massachusetts are food insecure, a 102% increase compared to percentages before the pandemic according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization with a nationwide network of food banks feeding the hungry. As part of Stop & Shop’s long-standing partnership with the Hockomock Area YMCA, the company was made aware of the rise in food insecurity among students and families locally in Milford. More than 50% of all students at Milford Public Schools are eligible for free breakfast and lunch due to the student poverty levels.

“Through Stop & Shop’s School Food Pantry program, we’re making it a priority to help children succeed at school by making sure they have consistent access to food,” said Paul Duhamel, Store Manager of Stop & Shop in Milford. “We’re incredibly proud to support Milford Public Schools in providing food insecure children with the nutrition they need especially during the pandemic.”

Currently, Milford Public Schools is serving 3,700 meals weekly assisting up to 175 families. With support by volunteer Dawn Craig, a former teacher and assistant principal from Stacy Middle School, Stop & Shop’s donation, which includes a variety of grocery staples from soup, and rice to peanut butter, jelly and cereal, will be packed at Milford High School. The groceries will then be distributed to families weekly at one centralized location via curbside pickup at Memorial Elementary School on 12 Walnut Street.

“We’re happy to establish this new partnership with Stop & Shop to help families in town that need extra groceries during this pandemic and the winter months ahead,” said Carla Tuttle, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for Milford Public Schools.

In Massachusetts, Stop & Shop has partnered with schools across the state to support school pantries for students in need. Stop & Shop School Food Pantries are currently in operation at Washington S.T.E.M. Elementary in Lynn, Community Elementary School in North Attleboro, Massasoit Community College in Brockton, Bunker Hill Community College in Boston and Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield.

For those interested in making a donation to assist Milford Public Schools with their meal and grocery distribution, email Dawn Craig at dcraig@milfordma.com.

This press release was produced by Stop & Shop. The views expressed here are the author's own.