For Students Like Jariel: Stop & Shop Launches Annual School Food Pantry Campaign

The eight-week fundraiser will support local school food pantries, spotlighting new ambassadors, who are students and families whose futures are fueled by the program

QUINCY, Mass., Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stop & Shop today announced the launch of its annual School Food Pantry Campaign, an eight-week register fundraising campaign that will help ensure students and families have access to nutritious food through the company's signature School Food Pantry Program.

Beginning September 4 through October 30, customers can support local school food pantries in their own backyards by rounding up their purchases or donating $1, $3, or $5 at checkout. One hundred percent of the donations will directly support school food pantries in Stop & Shop's School Food Pantry Program across the brand’s footprint of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

Established in 2019, the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program was created to ensure students don't go to school hungry and can perform their best in the classroom and beyond. Stop & Shop partners with local schools, from pre-K through college, to establish and support food pantries directly in schools so students and their families can easily access nutritious food in a safe, convenient, and stigma-free environment.

Today, the program supports more than 290 schools across five states and serves more than 50,000 students and families each month. During this year's campaign, Stop & Shop will celebrate a major milestone as the program reaches its 300th school food pantry partner.

The need for food security programs like this remains critical. According to the USDA, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. face hunger. Across Stop & Shop’s footprint, some communities face even higher rates of child food insecurity, reaching as high as 43%.

"At Stop & Shop, we know that food insecurity can impact every aspect of a student's life, from their ability to focus in the classroom to their overall health and wellbeing," said Roger Wheeler, President of Stop & Shop. "Our School Food Pantry Program is about much more than providing food. It's about creating opportunities for students and families to help them thrive and succeed. We are proud to partner with schools across our communities and grateful to our customers and associates whose generosity helps make this vital program possible."

A key part of this year's campaign is the introduction of five ambassadors whose personal stories highlight the impact school food pantries have on students and families every day.

Jariel V. – Weaver High School, Hartford, Connecticut

Jariel, known as JJ, first learned about the food pantry through a teacher at Weaver High School. As the oldest of five siblings, JJ plays an important role in helping care for his family. He helps look after his younger brothers and sister, picks them up from the bus stop, and assists his mother, who lives with lupus and faces challenges with mobility and vision.

Every Friday, JJ brings home pantry items such as rice, cereal, soup, pasta, pancakes, juice, tuna, and other nutritious foods that help support his family throughout the week. For JJ, the pantry provides a way to contribute to his household and help care for the people he loves, where family dinners and shared mealtimes remain a priority.

"I want people to know they're making a big impact, and it's more than they probably realize," said Jariel. "My grandfather always told me that a dollar can go a long way."

JJ hopes sharing his story will encourage other students to seek help when they need it and remind people that food insecurity can affect any family.

Julia H. – Bergen County Community College, Paramus, New Jersey

Julia graduated from Bergen County Community College this spring with a degree in General Science and plans to attend Montclair State University to pursue a career as a dietitian.

Raised by a single father, Julia experienced food insecurity growing up. After becoming a mother herself, she returned to school with the goal of creating a better life for herself and her daughter.

Access to Bergen County Community College's campus food pantry helped make that goal possible, providing support that allowed her to continue her education and ultimately earn her degree.

"Now imagine walking to a place on campus where those worries suddenly have real solutions and staff smile at you and say, 'you are not alone,'" said Julia. "That is the difference the Bergen Cares Center can make for students like me."

Reese L. – Monomoy Regional High School, Harwich, Massachusetts

For Reese, the School Food Pantry Program is about more than food. It's about building connections, gaining confidence, and helping others in her community. Reese participates in Monomoy Regional High School's SHORE (Students Have Opportunities for Recreation and Employment) program, which provides vocational training and transitional services for young adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Through the school's food pantry, Reese and her classmates gain hands-on experience with customer service, data entry, inventory management, sorting, and packing donations while supporting local families in need.

Reese also works at her local Stop & Shop store in Harwich, where students pick up weekly donations to help stock the pantry. What Reese enjoys most is the sense of community the pantry creates.

"My favorite part is making friendships with everyone that stops by," said Reese. "It makes my day to see happy families picking up food."

After graduation, Reese hopes to continue her career with Stop & Shop.

Natalie B. – MS 391 Angelo Patri School, Bronx, New York

As a survivor of domestic violence, Natalie and her daughter once relied on food pantries and community resources while working to rebuild their lives.

Today, even while working full time, Our Happy Place Food Pantry at MS 391 Angelo Patri School helps her continue providing for her family. Natalie believes food pantries offer much more than groceries. They create stability, dignity, and hope for families facing difficult circumstances.

"Food pantries do far more than just distribute groceries; they serve as an essential lifeline for vulnerable individuals and families seeking safety and trying to rebuild their lives," said Natalie. "Access to local food support gave my daughter and me the foundation we needed to survive and take our first steps toward healing. It felt like we saw the light at the end of the tunnel."

Ivonne G. – PS 229 Emanuel Kaplan, Queens, New York

Born in Colombia, Ivonne has called New York her home for most of her life. Today, Ivonne is raising three children of her own, including five-year-old twin boys and her oldest son, Elijah, who is eight years old and has autism.

As a full-time caregiver to her children, the school's food pantry helps Ivonne stretch their household budget and provides an added measure of stability, ensuring they have access to the nutritious food their family needs. For Ivonne, the pantry represents more than food. It is a reminder of the power of neighbors supporting one another through life's challenges.

"Community support is priceless," said Ivonne. "One day you may need help, and I will be there for you. One day I needed help and people showed up for my family. I will never forget that moment."

As food insecurity continues to affect students and families throughout the Northeast, Stop & Shop remains committed to providing consistent access to healthy food—not only during the school day, but also at night, on weekends and during school breaks. By providing this resource directly within schools, the program helps remove barriers to learning and create stronger, healthier communities.

The program is made possible in part thanks to the support of Stop & Shop’s vendor partners, who help ensure our school pantries are stocked with nutritious options for students. Premier program partners include The Campbell’s Company; Flowers Foods with its Dave’s Killer Bread brand; General Mills, through its Cheerios brand; and The Coca-Cola Company, through its smartwater brand. Each of these partners shares Stop & Shop’s commitment to helping students learn, grow, and thrive.

For more information on the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program visit: www.stopandshop.com/pages/school-food-pantry-program.

About Stop & Shop

A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop is focused on delivering a wide assortment of fresh, healthy options at a great value through strong weekly sales and everyday low prices. Its new GO Rewards loyalty program delivers personalized offers and allows customers to earn points that can be redeemed for gas or groceries every time they shop. Stop & Shop customers can choose however they want to shop - whether it's in-store or online, which offers both delivery and same day pickup. The company is committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger and working to ensure no students has to go to school hungry through its Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs over 50,000 associates and operates more than 350 stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.

media@stopandshop.com