Former Giants Stars Help Stop & Shop Deliver Thanksgiving Turkeys

Former New York Giants running back Joe Morris (left) and wide receiver Stephen Baker (on truck) worked alongside Stop & Shop associates to deliver 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Stop & Shop will deliver 25,000 Thanksgiving turkeys, to 30 community partners and hunger relief organizations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Stop & Shop today launched its annual Turkey Express program, a month-long initiative dedicated to donating holiday meals to hunger relief organizations and families in need ahead of Thanksgiving. This giant undertaking was kicked off with help from New York Giants alumni at the local grocer’s store in Nanuet, NY. Former New York Giants running back alum Joe Morris and wide receiver Stephen Baker worked alongside Stop & Shop associates to deliver 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Stop & Shop has a longstanding history of giving back to the communities it serves with a focus on fighting hunger, an issue that continues to be prevalent amidst inflation and rising food costs. According to Feeding America®, in 2021 alone, 53 million people turned to food banks and community programs for help.

Many will be challenged to put food on the table for their families this holiday season. To alleviate the pressures faced by many families, Stop & Shop will deliver 25,000 Thanksgiving turkeys, equaling a total of nearly 400,000 pounds, to 30 community partners and hunger relief organizations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts ,and Rhode Island. Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program has helped communities put a warm Thanksgiving meal on their tables for over a decade. Shady Brook Farms® has also generously donated thousands of turkeys this year to amplify Stop & Shop’s efforts to assist its 12 regional partner food banks, including the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, and other local hunger relief organizations. The donation is part of Shady Brook’s Farm ‘Guide to Good’ campaign, which underscores giving back and inspires those with a reinvigorated love for the kitchen, whether wanting traditional tips or new recipes.

“With many of our neighbors facing continued hardship, the work that food banks and hunger relief organizations continue to do for our communities is essential, especially during the holiday season,” said Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop. “We are thankful for their partnership and that of our supplier partner Shady Brook Farms as we work together to help ensure more families are able to enjoy a holiday meal with loved ones this year.”

The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley currently provides emergency food assistance to 23% more people than 2021, with more than 370,000 individuals relying on distributions from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley annually.

“We are so grateful to Stop & Shop’s support of our work especially during the holidays with their donation through their annual Turkey Express,“ said Sara Gunn, Director of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. “The cost of a holiday meal, like all meals, has risen dramatically this year which makes this donation even more impactful for the thousands of families in the Hudson Valley experiencing hunger. Stop & Shop’s support has been ongoing throughout the years and we are true partners in the fight to alleviate hunger.”

Of the households served by the Food Bank of Hudson Valley:

• 39% have at least one adult working. The median monthly income is $700.
• 69% live under the federal poverty level.
• 76% are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will come from.
• 39% receive food stamps.
• 45% have to choose between food and paying for utilities.
• 46% have to choose between housing and paying for food.
• 32% have to choose between food and health care.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Stop & Shop this year, working together to meaningfully give back and support local communities in need,” said Hannah Kern, Shady Brook Farms Marketing Manager. “Families continue to face hardships and if we can make their holiday a bit brighter with a delicious and nutritious turkey meal, we know we’ve made an impact that goes beyond fighting hunger.”

Joe Morris played for the New York Giants from 1982 to 1988. He was a key member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Morris rushed for 67 yards, caught four passes for 20 yards, and scored a touchdown in the game. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1986. Stephen Baker “The Touchdown Maker” played for the Giants from 1987-1992. He caught a 14 yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXV as the Giants beat the Bills 20-19.

To learn more about Stop & Shop’s efforts to support hunger relief and give back to the communities it serves, please visit https://stopandshop.com/pages/our-purpose.