Grafton Shoppers Raise Nearly $5,000 for Hungry

Ever wonder what happens to those paper turkeys you bought for a small donation during the holidays at ?

They raised nearly $5,00 for hunger relief.

Shoppers at the Grafton Stop & Shop helped raise more than $4,900 through the company's annual Food for Friends program.

The money was donated to Friends in Grafton, Inc. to help provide hunger relief to area residents. 

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support from our customers and associates for Food for Friends,” said Suzi Robinson, a spokesperson for Stop & Shop. “We exceeded the amount raised in 2009 by 40 percent. Even a tough economy could not dampen the spirit of giving that exists with the associates and customers in our communities.”

Stop & Shop set a new record in 2010 with its 21st annual Food for Friends campaign and raised more than $2 million. Sixty percent of the funds were distributed directly to hundreds of local food pantries adopted by stores in each community; the remaining funds were allocated to regional state food banks.

The Food for Friends program ran in all 392 Stop & Shop stores from Oct. 29 through Dec. 10. Customers donated $1, $3, or $5 “paper turkeys” at their local Stop & Shop. Customer contributions accounted for 90 percent of the $2 million; Stop & Shop contributed $500 per store.