A charity supermarket sweep hosted by Staunton Kroger on March 27 raised a total of $15,474 and 1,229 pounds of food, equal to 47,446 meals.
Local community leaders, their cheerleaders and Kroger representatives came together at the “Shop to Stop Hunger” to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The food bank’s Jenna Dull, Connie Davis of the Central United Methodist Church‘s food pantry, Priscilla (PJ) Piñeiro Jenkins of the Staunton Public Defenders Office, Corrie Park of Staunton City Council and Jim Simmons of KK Homes Team of Long & Foster raced down Kroger aisles in the high-energy 60-second sweep. They filled their carts in a bid to claim the most valuable haul. Simmons emerged as the Grand Champion, winning the coveted “Cart Away Hunger” trophy for the most total donations raised.
“Thursday’s event is a powerful reminder of what our community can achieve when we come together. The food and donations raised will provide much-needed meals and hope to families facing food insecurity across our region. We are incredibly grateful to Kroger, Weaver Insurance and all who participated in making this event a success,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Since 2013, Shop to Stop Hunger has provided more than 821,677 meals to individuals and families across the Blue Ridge region.
Community members can continue to support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s hunger-relief efforts through online donations. Every $1 donated helps provide more than three meals.
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization serving Western and Central Virginia. Founded in 1981, the food bank serves 25 counties and 8 cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester, and its headquarters in Verona.
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Rebecca Barnabi
