‘Shop to Stop Hunger’ raises items for nearly 28K meals to food bank

Jim Simmons of KK Homes Team of Long & Foster was awarded the Grand Champion “Cart Away Hunger” trophy Thursday morning at the Staunton Kroger.

The competition raises funds and items for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

Other local celebrity participants in the competition were Jenna Dull, Priscilla (PJ) Piñeiro Jenkins of the Staunton Public Defenders Office, Connie Davis of Central United Methodist Church and Corrie Park of Staunton City Council.

“I’m so excited to do this,” said Park, who also teaches at Stuart Hall. Park was given a Spirit Award in the competition because several of her students came out to cheer her on with “Let’s go, Miss Park. Let’s go!”

Park said she was excited to help the community but also participate in a competition.

“And all of my game show dreams are coming true,” she said.

Park also owns and operates Made By the People, For the People in downtown Staunton, and her business partners with the food bank.

According to Les Sinclair, Communications & PR Manager for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, the 2025 event was held in Staunton, but is usually held at a Harrisonburg Kroger.

“It’s like a Supermarket Sweepstakes. They’re looking for high-dollar items,” Sinclair said.

All items collected by the five participants during the competition are donated to the food bank, as well as funds and goods collected before the competition and collected in bins from customers at the Staunton Kroger.

“It is because of the community that we’re able to do what we do,” said Millie Winstead, who served as MC of the event.

Other competition awards included the Rainmaker Award for the most funds raised, which went to Simmons. The Heavy Weight Champion, the most pounds collected during the participation, went to Corrie Park. The Hermes Award went to Simmons also for the highest value of items at checkout.

Today’s event brought about a tie in the Spirit Award, with Piñeiro Jenkins also awarded for her enthusiasm and for cheering on her fellow participants.

The competition is more important now that the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is serving more individuals and families than ever since its founding in 1981. The competition, sponsored by Kroger and Weaver Insurance, collected a total of items equivalent to 27,987 meals.

“We love supporting the food bank and this event in particular,” Corporate Affairs for Kroger Mid-Atlantic James Menees said. “It’s fun, it makes a difference and everyone enjoys it. There’s a lot of smiles here and, ultimately, a lot of support from the community.”

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‘Cart Away Hunger’: Local celebrities to compete in Kroger fundraiser for food bank