Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that Inserra Shop-Rite of Bayonne will hold an in-store food drive for the Bayonne Food Bank this month.
The drive will run from Sept. 12 through 18. The store is at 26th Street and Avenue C.
“The Coronavirus and the 2020 recession have caused unemployment across America and here in Bayonne,” Mayor James Davis said. “As a result, many people need help getting enough food for their families.”
That’s why City Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski and City Business Administrator Melissa Mathews organized the Bayonne Food Bank in coordination with the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) earlier this year. The food bank conducts frequent food distributions.
The Bayonne Food Bank receives some assistance from federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
Community comes together
“Since the need is great, more help for the food bank is always welcome,” Davis said. “In August, we received the good news that Inserra Supermarkets, owners of the Bayonne Shop-Rite store, have offered to help the Bayonne Food Bank through Inserra’s Partners in Caring Program.”
The food drive will feature a drop-off area at the store. Inserra Shop-Rite will ask customers to purchase nonperishable food items or gift cards for the Bayonne Food Bank’s pantry.
Customers can drop off cards and food items in what Inserra calls “a safe and socially distanced setting” at the Bayonne Shop-Rite, according to Davis.
Nonperishable items include, but are not limited to: canned tuna fish;
canned or boxed pasta; pasta sauce; canned vegetables; canned fruits; pudding cups; 100 percent fruit boxes; boxed cereal; oatmeal; breakfast bars; nonperishable macaroni and cheese; chunky soups; peanut butter; jelly; rice; and canned beans.
“On behalf of the City of Bayonne, I would like to thank Inserra for its generous offer to help the Bayonne Food Bank,” Davis said. “We always appreciate it when businesses that operate in Bayonne give back to our community.”
The Inserra Supermarkets have a policy of conducting food drives each year in conjunction with local community partners.
“During the days from September 12 through September 18, I hope that all customers of Bayonne’s Inserra Shop-Rite who are able to do so will purchase nonperishable food items and/or gift cards for the Bayonne Food Bank,” Davis said.
“That food drive will provide a great opportunity for our residents to help our neighbors in need. During this time of economic distress, the Bayonne Food Bank and other food pantries need the community’s help more than ever. I would like to thank the people of Bayonne for their generous support.”
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