Vernon Responders, ShopRite Bagging Groceries For The Hungry

VERNON, CT — Five of Vernon's most notable first responders Thursday teamed up with the ShopRite at Tri-City Plaza to bag groceries in the fight against hunger.

They were on hand at the store for "Help Bag Hunger Day" and to raise awareness about food insecurity.

Police Chief John Kelley, Fire Chief Stephen Eppler, EMS Coordinator Jean Gauthier, Fire Marshal Dan Wasilewski and Town Administrator and Director of Emergency and Risk Management Michael Purcaro, bagged groceries from 1 to 2 p.m.

Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said the town has distributed more than 10 tons of fresh produce to families experiencing food insecurity, and Vernon has partnered with ShopRite to provide curbside pick-up of essential household supplies and groceries during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday's event is another way the Town is working with community partners to assist individuals and families in need, Purcaro said.

"ShopRite of Tri-City Plaza and owner Jordan Coe have been valuable partners to the town of Vernon in our comprehensive response to COVID-19" Purcaro said. "We are pleased to participate to not only raise awareness about food insecurity and hunger, but to do something about it."

Throughout the day Thursday, cashiers were asking customers for donations to help fill the shelves of local food banks, and local leaders were assisting with bagging customers' groceries.

"This is my second year bagging groceries at ShopRite and I always look forward to it," Wasilewski said. "It’s a great opportunity to meet residents and to help people."

The local ShopRite has a strong partnership with the Cornerstone shelter and food pantry in the Rockville section of town to channel donations.

"The folks at ShopRite have been wonderful to Cornerstone," said Sharon Redfern, the organization's executive director. "They started a program where they have $5 and $10 bags of food that customers can buy that go to our food pantry. We have received more than 28,000 items through that program. And they lend us a hand in so many other ways. They’re really good people there at ShopRite."

September is National Hunger Action Month and ShopRite works to raise money through an initiative called Partners in Caring to feed the hungry in the local community, said Coe, the president and owner of Waverly Markets, which operates ShopRite stores in Vernon, Manchester and East Hartford.

"Here at ShopRite helping those who are hungry is always on our minds," she said. "Through our partnership with Cornerstone and the town of Vernon, we know we are reaching local families and providing them with easy access to good nutritious food."

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This story is part of Patch's new partnership with Feeding America. Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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