Shaw’s, NFL’s Patriots Enrich Food Banks

Shaw’s Supermarkets and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation have donated More than $230,000 to area food banks to support children’s feeding programs, including Patriots Kids Cafes.

“The current number of people in need of food relief is tremendous and that need takes an extra level of urgency when you realize the number of children who are going hungry,” said Larry Wahlstrom, Shaw’s president. “The initiative to help fight hunger is a very important one to both Shaw’s and our customers, and we would like to thank all of those who made this donation to the food banks possible. The generosity of our customers will help ensure kids are getting the nutrition they need.”

The donation results from the Patriots’ foundation and Shaw’s Scan Campaign, a joint fundraising effort in all Shaw’s and Star Markets from Oct. 15 to Nov. 6. Since the launch of the joint campaign in 2007, the Patriots Charitable Foundation and Shaw’s have donated $1,324,603 to fight hunger.

The 2010 donation will be celebrated with an on-field pregame check presentation before the Dec. 19 game between the Patriots and the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium.

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Shaw’s, especially when we are able to work together to provide much-needed food for local families who are struggling,” said Robert Kraft, Patriots chairman and CEO. “It’s one of the primary missions of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation to support youth and families in New England, and this effort is a big part of that.”

Among the beneficiaries of the campaign are the Patriot’s Kids Cafes, which provide 6,750 meals per week at local Boys & Girls Clubs to youth who may not receive them at home.

Money was raised thanks to Shaw’s associates and customers purchasing $1 and $5 paper football helmets in all store locations. In addition to Patriots Kids Cafes, the donation will support food banks throughout New England including the Greater Boston Food Bank, New Hampshire Food Bank, Vermont Food Bank, Rhode Island Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, and the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine.

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation has partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank to establish Patriots Kids Cafes at area Boys & Girls Clubs, which provide hot meals for youths who may not receive them at home.

Shaw’s is a division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc., with 174 store locations in five New England states.