BJ's Wholesale Club Announces $100,000 Grant to Good Shepherd Food Bank

BJ's grant to Good Shepherd Food Bank is part of BJ's Charitable Foundation's $1 million donation to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Good Shepherd Food Bank is one of nine local food banks to benefit from BJ's $1 million donation, which is the foundation's largest single donation to any organization to date.

"BJ's is bringing a fresh approach to nourishing communities and helping families thrive, and we're proud to support Good Shepherd Food Bank," said Kirk Saville, executive director of the BJ's Charitable Foundation. "No one should have to worry about where to get their next meal, and we know that food banks face challenges in storing and distributing perishable foods. Our strategic partnership with Feeding America is focused on building capacity for fresh food at local food banks so we can work together to put an end to hunger in our communities."

With BJ's $100,000 grant, Good Shepherd Food Bank will purchase a refrigerated box truck for its partner, Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, increasing the volume of its perishable food distribution by 40 percent. Additionally, Good Shepherd Food Bank will use BJ's grant to expand its agency partners' cold storage capacity, which will allow significantly greater amounts of food to be donated and distributed in high-need areas.

Last year, Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed more than 21 million meals through its network of 400 partner agencies to approximately 178,000 Mainers in need. Good Shepherd Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in the state, reaching from York County to Bangor to Aroostook County. 

"At Good Shepherd Food Bank, we strive to eliminate hunger in Maine by sourcing and distributing nutritious food to our neighbors in need with the help of valuable community and local partners like BJ's," said Kristen Miale, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank. "Because of BJ's generous donation, Good Shepherd Food Bank will be able to distribute more nutritious food to adults, children and seniors across the entire state."

Since 2009, BJ's has provided ongoing support to Feeding America through the BJ's Charitable Foundation and BJ's Feeding Communities® program, helping local food banks successfully expand their programs to reach wider and more diverse audiences.

In addition to capacity building grants from the BJ's Charitable Foundation, BJ's has secured over 50 million pounds of donated food, including fresh produce, frozen meats and fish, baked goods and dairy items through the BJ's Feeding Communities® program.

To learn more about the BJ's Charitable Foundation and its Feeding Communities Program, visit bjs.com/charity.

To learn more about Good Shepherd Food Bank, visit GSFB.org.

About BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.
Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's is the leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 215 clubs and 132 BJ's Gas^® locations in 16 states. 

BJ's provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with top-quality, leading brands, including its exclusive Wellsley Farms® and Berkley Jensen® brands, along with USDA Choice meats, premium produce and delicious organics, many in supermarket sizes. BJ's is also the only major membership warehouse club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and, for greater convenience, offers the most payment options.

Visit www.BJs.com, and for exclusive content find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

BJ's is wholly owned by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, CVC Capital Partners and its management team.

About Good Shepherd Food Bank

As the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank provides for Mainers facing hunger by distributing nutritious food to more than 400 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, and senior programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. In 2016, the Food Bank distributed more than 21 million meals to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine. Visit www.feedingmaine.org, and Facebook and Twitter.

About Feeding America^®
Feeding America^® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Unites States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.

SOURCE BJ's Wholesale Club

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