Price Chopper to Launch ‘Tools for Schools’ Campaign

On July 28, Price Chopper will kick off its signature “Tools for Schools” campaign in all 132 stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

In its 16th year, Tools for Schools has raised more than $10.5 million for schools in the grocer’s six-state footprint. This year, participating schools will earn a share of more than $500,000 in needed equipment and materials with the help of Price Chopper shoppers and teammates.

From July 28 through March 29, 2014, Shoppers are encouraged to support their local school by using their AdvantEdge Card, points from which will enable neighborhood elementary, middle and high schools to fund new school supplies, musical instruments, microscopes, computer software, furniture and playground equipment.

Shoppers can also participate in the campaign’s fifth-annual supply drive through Sept. 14, 2013. Price Chopper has partnered with the Salvation Army to help collect and distribute school supplies to students in need. Shoppers can purchase items from the Price Chopper Back to School Display and place them in designated carts within the store for distribution to teachers and students at the beginning of the school year.

“Tools for Schools has become a highly anticipated element of the annual Back to School season for many people whose lives are connected to school children. In a time of tough budget cuts, this program is an opportunity to purchase necessary educational, technological and extracurricular equipment that may otherwise not be affordable,” said Mona Golub, Price Chopper’s VP of public relations and marketing services. “By enrolling their AdvantEdge Card and visiting a local Price Chopper, families, friends and neighbors can support their educational institutions and enrich the lives of children in their communities.”

Schools will also have a chance to win prizes based on greatest volume earned and the greatest value-to-student ratio. Bonus points in addition to other incentives will help schools add to their overall total. As an incentive to this year’s program, the top 50 schools will each receive a Price Chopper gift card basket worth $250.

Schenectady, N.Y.-based Golub owns and operates 132 Price Chopper grocery stores. The family-managed company’s 22,000 associates collectively own more than 50 percent of its privately held stock, making it one of the nation’s largest privately held corporations that is predominantly employee-owned.