Stop & Shop's A+ School Rewards Program Kicks-Off 2015 With Fighting Hunger Challenge

PURCHASE, N.Y. and QUINCY, Mass., Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To help provide hunger relief to those in need, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is kicking-off the New Year with the launch of its A+ School Rewards Fighting Hunger Challenge, a contest calling on participating schools to host food drives benefitting local food banks, pantries and soup kitchens, with prizes going to those creating the best displays utilizing the donated goods.

The Challenge runs from January 1, 2015 to February 13, 2015 and is open to ALL schools (public or private) in CT, NY, and NJ that are currently registered in the A+ School Rewards Program, which can be found at www.stopandshop.com/aplus.

"As part of Stop & Shop's commitment to being a better neighbor in each of the communities we serve, the A+ School Rewards Fighting Hunger Challenge is an ideal way to support both local schools and feeding those in need," said Arlene Putterman, Manager of Public and Community Relations, Stop & Shop New York Metro Division.

To participate in the Challenge, each school registered in the A+ School Rewards Program is asked to choose a local not-for-profit food bank, pantry or soup kitchen, conduct a food drive at their school and collect non-perishable goods.  Each participating school builds a unique and creative Fighting Hunger Display using donated products and placed in a prominent area of the school.  The food items will be donated to the designated food bank, pantry or soup kitchen at the conclusion of the Challenge. 

Coordinators and/or Principals must submit a photograph of their Fighting Hunger Display, indicating the name of their designated recipient.  Schools are divided into three brackets based on enrollment size, with the top two schools in each bracket winning $1,000 each.  The winning Fighting Hunger Display photos will be placed on the Stop & Shop social media pages (www.facebook.com/stopandshop, https://twitter.com/StopandShop and http://www.pinterest.com/stopandshop/). 

Online Entries must be submitted by February 13, 2015 at [email protected].  Mailed Entries must be postmarked by February 13, 2015 and received by February 19, 2015 and sent to:

A+ Fighting Hunger Challenge
c/o Crane Communications
111 Presidential Blvd, Ste. 252
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 

For full Challenge rules visit www.stopandshop.com/aplus.

About Stop & Shop's A+ School Rewards Program
The A+ School Rewards Program is a fundraising initiative that enables customers to help earn money for their local schools when they shop for groceries at Stop & Shop.  There is no limit to what schools can do with their A+ School Rewards, including earning cash for technology, scholarships, school programs, field trips, playgrounds and other educational needs. A+ School Rewards are accrued with each purchase made using one's Stop & Shop loyalty card from October 3, 2014 through March 19, 2015. 

About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs over 59,000 associates and operates 395 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children's educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA's Smart Way program and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com or www.facebook.com/stopandshop.

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SOURCE The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC