RoNetCo ShopRite stores help fight hunger

BYRAM — RoNetco Supermarkets celebrated with store associates, vendors and customers with the unveilings of the special-edition Cheerios Box featuring store associateswho were instrumental in helping raise more than $84,000 in the fight against hunger.

Six of the seven ShopRite stores, owned and operated by RoNetco Supermarkets, made the top 40 selected out of 250 ShopRite stores that annually strive to surpass last year's goal during the ShopRite Partners in Caring initiative to decrease hunger in communities served by ShopRite stores.

The Partners in Caring program originated in 1999 and since that time ShopRite stores, through the generosity of their customers, have raised $33 million in the fight against hunger. The stores have raised the total by $1.2 million alone in 2013.

"Every year I am amazed and so proud of our store teams who work tirelessly planning special events and opportunities for customers to join in the efforts to make life easier for others," Dominick J. Romano, vice president and chief operating officer said. "How appropriate is this year's battle cry of "Fighting Hunger from the Heart"?!! Our associates are passionate about this cause and their impact and positivity are infectious ... it's a winning combination".

Not only did associates and shoppers band together to raise more than $84,000, but RoNetco also matched a portion of the proceeds and presented The NORWESCAP Food bank with a check for $18,000 to help fill the shelves of food pantries, child care and senior citizen centers, homeless shelters and soup kitchens. RoNetco also donated four pallets of canned goods and cereal to jump start the 2nd quarter of 2014 with food necessities to meet the needs of an ever-increasing clientele.