Stop & Shop Employees Provide Holiday Gifts to Monmouth Families

More than 300 Stop & Shop store managers and associates from 18 stores across the Jersey Shore provided holiday gifts to 40 Monmouth County families as part of Family & Children’s Service’s annual Operation Sleighbells program. The Stop & Shop associates and representatives of Family & Children’s Service gathered at the Howell Stop & Shop to load the gifts onto a truck, which transported the holiday gift items to FCS for distribution to the families.

During Operation Sleighbells Stop & Shop personnel ‘adopt’ local families through Family & Children Services. The Stop & Shop employees each personally fund the donation of warm coats, hats, gloves, toys, and infant necessities to families who may be struggling during the holiday season. Stop & Shop stores also give gift cards to the parents, allowing them to provide other holiday necessities to their children.

“I take it to heart when I hear of a family struggling to provide for their children during the holidays, and I know I must do something to help,” said Anthony Algozzini, store manager of Stop & Shop Howell. “It saddens me to think that many parents are struggling with making the decision to feed their children or buy them presents, and even worse, some are unable to provide either. Operation Sleighbells is a heartfelt effort that allows us to make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors and their families.”

“Our agency was started 114 years ago on the premise that no one should feel forgotten during the holidays, especially children,” explains FCS CEO Louis Schwarcz. “Operation Sleighbells continues that tradition by bringing the community together to make the season brighter for our neighbors in need. Granting the holiday wish of a child may not seem like much, but for the child who might not otherwise receive a gift, or the parent who cannot provide one, it’s everything.”

“I believe strongly that every child celebrating the upcoming holidays should receive a gift,” said Tom McCormack, store manager of Stop & Shop Tom’s River. “We are proud to support Operation Sleighbells and exceed the families’ wish lists, so that more families and children are smiling this holiday season.”

Over the past eight years, Stop & Shop employees have granted the holiday wishes of over 320 area families and children. Some of the many gifts donated this year included 40 coats, 40 pairs of gloves and 150 toys.