ShopRite’s Annual ShopRite Partners In Caring (SRPIC) Cheerios Contest, sponsored by General Mills, raised $1.3 million this year – thanks to the generosity of customers and the dedication of ShopRite associates who once again helped raise awareness around food insecurity. And as part of the annual hunger-fighting tradition, associates from the top fundraising stores will be featured on limited-edition Cheerios cereal boxes sold at ShopRite in the spring.
ShopRite and General Mills will recognize the 47 top fundraising stores and associates with special in-store celebrations and cereal box unveilings from March 7 through May 16. As part of this year’s theme, “Team Cheerios,” the winners will be honored with their own special poster and commemorative Cheerios box. The celebratory season kicks off March 7 at the ShopRite of Ramsey in New Jersey, owned and operated by the Inserra family. The top fundraising store of this year’s SRPIC Cheerios Contest, the Ramsey team raised nearly $50,000.
“The Cheerios contest is a cherished tradition for ShopRite Partners In Caring that not only recognizes the hard work of the store teams and the families who own and operate ShopRite stores, but also reinforces our collective mission to fight food insecurity. Each year, the money raised from this initiative helps strengthen the impact of regional food banks, ensuring that more individuals and families have access to the foods they need,” said Steven Hildner, Administrator of Corporate Social Responsibility at ShopRite.
Now celebrating its 25th year, the friendly contest starts in September during Hunger Action Month. That’s when associates across most ShopRite stores collect donations at checkout and in-store as they compete to raise the most money and earn a spot on the Cheerios cereal box. Shoppers are also encouraged to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout and many retail teams sponsor special store events and sales to raise money for hunger-fighting organizations.
Each winning store also receives prize money to donate to local food pantries selected by the respective store teams. The top five fundraising stores receive $5,000 each and the remaining stores receive $2,500.
