Hannaford Supermarkets Launches Comprehensive Holiday Hunger Campaign With Vermont Foodbank
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mark Bardack
Ed Lewi Associates
6 Chelsea Place • Clifton Park, NY 12065
Phone (518) 383-6183
E-mail: mbardack@edlewi.comHANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE HOLIDAY HUNGER CAMPAIGN WITH VERMONT FOODBANK
BURLINGTON, VT, November 13, 2008 – Hannaford Supermarkets announced plans on Thursday for a comprehensive holiday hunger relief campaign that was highlighted by a $25,000 donation to the Vermont Foodbank.
The monetary donation was part of a broad based initiative that featured five separate $25,000 contributions to food banks in the five states in which Hannaford operates as a means of celebrating the Maine-based grocer’s 125th anniversary.
In addition to the financial contribution, Hannaford announced a sweeping cause marketing campaign for the holiday season that will benefit consumers, while attacking the burgeoning hunger crisis throughout Vermont and the 14 counties served by the Vermont Foodbank.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, since this past June, demand for food aid has risen 20 percent in areas of the country with the healthiest economies and more than 40 percent in areas with the weakest. In Vermont, demand has increased by as much as 30 percent in the last year.
“During these challenging economic times, Hannaford hopes to alleviate some of the financial pressures on consumers while simultaneously allowing our customers to support their neighbors in need,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Vermont District Manager Andy Willette. “This is the ultimate win-win campaign where our shoppers can save money and concurrently assist in alleviating hunger.”
Hannaford recently launched its fifth annual “Fund-a-Feast” campaign where shoppers in Vermont can purchase a box of food for $10 to be donated to local families through organizations such as the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. The Food Shelf is the largest direct service emergency food provider in Vermont serving over 11,000 people each year.
In return for the $10 donation to Fund-a-Feast, consumers will receive a $50 coupon book from Hannaford Supermarkets.
The pre-assembled boxes will allow local food pantries and soup kitchens to provide complete Thanksgiving meals and essential staples to families who need them the most.
Starting Sunday, November 30, Hannaford shoppers can earn an additional $50 in coupons by purchasing a $5 gift card for the Vermont Foodbank at all Vermont Hannaford stores.
Both the Fund-a-Feast and gift card donation programs run through December 27.
According to Christine Foster, Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Vermont Foodbank, “Hannaford Supermarkets is a wonderful example of strong corporate commitment to the fight against hunger. Their multi-tiered community strategy includes generous financial support, product donations, and in-store promotions that give all shoppers the opportunity to help feed struggling Vermonters. Hannaford is a leader in the fight against hunger and we are proud to partner with them throughout the year.”
A third component of the Hannaford holiday hunger campaign is a buy one, give one initiative.
Starting December 7 and running for two weeks, each time a Hannaford soup or cereal tagged with “Buy 1/Give 1” is purchased the same item will be donated to the Vermont Foodbank.
About the Vermont Foodbank
The Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving communities in all 14 counties of Vermont through a network of 270 food pantries, soup kitchen, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 6.5 million pounds of food to the more than 66,000 needy Vermonters who request charitable food assistance. The Vermont Foodbank is a nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. For facts and figures on hunger and poverty, to sign-up to receive our newsletter, to find a food shelf in your community, and to learn about the Federal Nutrition Programs, visit us on the web at www.vtfoodbank.org
About the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf
The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf is the largest direct service emergency food provider in Vermont serving over 11,000 people each year. The food shelf provides a five-day supply of groceries once per month on-site and through a delivery program for people who are homebound. In addition, the food shelf operates the County’s foremost soup kitchen serving hot meals Sunday through Friday. During the summer school vacation period, the Chittenden Food Shelf serves brown bag lunches for children and for people who are homeless. Volunteers help sort and distribute food, cook and clean, and capture and deliver food. For example, the Angel Food Project, the food shelf’s food rescue program coordinated solely by volunteers, captures food from supermarkets and distributes the rescued food to smaller non-profit agencies throughout Chittenden County. The UVM Food Salvage Program is a weekly Sunday dinner cooked and served by volunteers from the UVM Department of Student Life Community Service Program. New programs being introduced include a culinary job training program entitled Community Kitchen (a partnership with the Vermont Foodbank), and Campus Kitchen (a UVM Student Life project designed at capturing food from campus cafeterias).
About Hannaford SupermarketsHannaford Bros. Co., based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 167 stores and employs more than 27,000 associates under the Hannaford Supermarket and Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy names. Most Hannaford stores have full-service pharmacies and all feature Guiding Stars, America’s first storewide nutrition navigation system. The company is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.
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