Stop & Shop Opens Food Pantry At East Providence High School

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — Stop & Shop is expanding its efforts to fight food insecurity by opening a food pantry at East Providence High School, a company spokesperson said Wednesday.

Representatives from Stop & Shop, in partnership with We Share Hope, Campbell Snacks, and the East Providence School District, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new food pantry to improve access to fresh and shelf-stable foods for hundreds of students across the school district.

To open the food pantry, Stop & Shop donated $25,000 to stock the shelves with food and personal care items.

Named after the district mascot, the “Townie Pride Pantry” is accessible for local students and their families. School officials said they also anticipate packing and delivering bags to support 200 students across the district from elementary school through high school.

"We're so grateful to Stop & Shop, Campbell Snacks, and We Share Hope for making this new food pantry possible and nurturing the growth of our student population," school Superintendent Sandra Forand said. "The opening of the Townie Pride Pantry is coming at a critical time when about half the students across our district are qualifying for free school meals, so our partners' support will have a very positive impact on our school community."

The Townie Pride Pantry marks the second Rhode Island school food pantry collaboration between We Share Hope and Stop & Shop, following a successful opening in Newport earlier this year at Rogers High School.

Founded in 2008, We Share Hope retrieves surplus food from partners in the food industry and distributes that food to nonprofit groups throughout Rhode Island. Earlier this year, We Share Hope partnered with districts in Providence, Central Falls, and Pawtucket to open similar school food pantries and deliver food regularly.

"Stop & Shop's generosity continues to help us reduce the stress associated with food insecurity for students and families across Rhode Island," We Share Hope Executive Director Johanna Corcoran said.

Additionally, Campbell Snacks will donate $125,000 to support the continued expansion of the Stop & Shop’s School Food Pantry Program across the grocer’s five-state footprint. For the launch of the East Providence School Food Pantry, Campbell Snacks will also donate Goldfish to support students across the local district.

"At Stop & Shop, we are committed to expanding our School Food Pantry Program, and partnering with organizations like We Share Hope and Campbell Snacks allows us to make a difference in the lives of Rhode Island students in need," Stop & Shop Communications Director Jennifer Brogan, Director said.