Ocean State Job Lot Customers Raise $1.44M

Through the generosity of its shoppers this past holiday season, Ocean State Job Lot announced this week that it has raised a record $1.44 million to provide meals to hungry families through its 2105 “Three Square Meals” charitable food program.

Established in 2003, Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation’s Three Square Meals initiative has grown to become the largest and most productive meal assistance program of its kind in the Northeast. The program’s mission is to alleviate the growing problem of food insecurity where Job Lot stores are located throughout six New England states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine), New York and New Jersey.

Funds are raised annually between November and December through a combination of in-store customer donations at the register, contributions from the business community, and matching funds from Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation. Job Lot then leverages its wholesale buying power and retailing expertise to purchase food at significant value. It also donates the operational support, delivery and other expenses to ensure that 100% of every dollar raised goes to the plate to help families and individuals in need.

Nutritious, shelf-stable food will be delivered by truckload to 15 food banks within Job Lot’s trading area throughout the year, beginning with a state trooper-led truck convoy leaving from Job Lot’s corporate warehouse in North Kingstown, R.I. on the morning of April 9, 2015. Last year, $1.4 million was raised, resulting in 109 tractor-trailer loads of food delivered throughout 2014 to 13 food banks for distribution to local pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, churches, and other food-based organizations. Each truckload contained approximately 30,000 pounds of food, providing nearly 1.2 million meals. Participating brand and food sponsors in the 2014 Three Square Meals program included Bob’s Red Mill, Polar Beverages, Kellogg’s, Bank of America, ConAgra, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund and others.

“Even in an economy that has not fully recovered, and with many facing their own financial struggles, our customers demonstrated phenomenal generosity during our in-store fundraising effort,” states David Sarlitto, chief marketing executive for Ocean State Job Lot. “I think people realize how many of their neighbors - including seniors, military families, the unemployed and the underemployed - are relying on food assistance to get by, and we are happy that our Three Square Meals program can help. Our customers and business partners have big hearts and are making a difference in their own backyard.”

Through The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, the company has established a long history of philanthropic leadership in the communities it serves. In addition to its “Three Square Meals” food assistance program, The Foundation also supports charities and causes including but not limited to WWII veterans’ Honor Flights, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, special needs children, foster children, and educational institutions and activities.

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately held retail chain with 115 stores in New England, New York, and New Jersey, approximately 4,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $575 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, and pool supply), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, placing emphasis on local food banks in communities where Job Lot operates stores. The Foundation also supports medical and educational institutions, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, our military service men and women, and special needs and foster children. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered at 375 Commerce Park Road in the Quonset Point Business Park, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Web: osjl.com.

Submitted text and courtesy photo.