BALTIMORE — Price Rite, Feed the Children and The Salvation Army gave a whole new definition to “Food Drive” on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. On that day, each organization helped to distribute a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items, a box of assorted AVON products, books and other items to more than 800 families residing in the Woodlawn area. The items were distributed “Drive-Thru” style, with recipients pulling up in their vehicles, and volunteers placing the donated items in their cars.
The Food Drive took place on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Price Rite located at 6606 Woodlawn Drive in Woodlawn. Price Rite, Feed the Children, and Purdue partnered to sponsor the event, with support from The Salvation Army.
Jim Dorey, Executive Vice President of Price Rite; Josh Bartholomew, Director of Operations for Price Rite; Nick Dispenziere, Director of Sales and Merchandising for Price Rite; and J.C. Watts, Jr., President & CEO of Feed the Children were among the attendees.
“This event was great,” said Eric Mueck, Resource Development Director for the Salvation Army of Central Maryland. “We had about 40 volunteers from Price Rite, Feed the Children, and the Salvation Army who distributed the items. People were very grateful for the items they received.”
According to Janeen Johnally, Communications Director for the Salvation Army of Central Maryland, each family was pre-identified based on need by The Salvation Army.
“This event took place in the back of the Price Rite building,” said Johnally. “Each family pulled up in the rear of the building and picked up their products. People felt comfortable being in their cars and picking up the products. They didn’t feel exposed.”
Johnally added, “People were also very happy about the amount of things they
received. Usually with events like this, people think about receiving food and water. But we were able to give them food, water, personal items, books, and a whole lot more. They were very appreciative.”
Price Rite operates 62 stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland and Virginia. According to Price Rite, their stores offer customers an expanded produce department and quality food products at savings up to 50 percent less than traditional supermarkets.
“It was a good event,” said Joseph Justin, Store Manager for the Price Rite located in Woodlawn. “People came early and picked up their items, and were very pleased about what they received. They were really surprised to receive the books.”
He added, “It was great to be a part of this event. It allows us to give back to the community and let them know that we care. It’s very rewarding.”
According to Price Rite, fighting hunger in the local community is at the heart of their charitable giving. The supermarket chain noted that it contributes approximately $500,000 annually to local food banks and food pantries to benefit local families in need within the communities it serves.
Price Rite also highlighted that it is heading into the second year of its partnership with Feed the Children, and will host eight to ten events with the charity organization during 2016, and will donate more than 40,000 pounds of food and other essentials per event as part of the program.
Feed the Children was established in 1979, and seeks to end child hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education, essentials and disaster relief. The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, whose mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.