Shaw’s® Supermarkets recently presented The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) with a donation of $50,000 to help support their Kids Cafe programs.  Representatives from Shaw's presented the donation to Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank during a special presentation held at the GBFB facility on January 4. Later that same day, Shaw’s also presented the Yawkey Club of Roxbury Boys & Girls Club with $5,000 in support of their Kids Cafe and helped serve that evening’s meal.

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank, and we value our ability to help them provide much-needed food for local families who are struggling,” said Mike Stigers, president, Shaw’s. “Unfortunately, the number of people who are going hungry continues to rise.  That need takes on an extra level of urgency when you realize how many children don’t have access to meals during non-school hours.  That’s why the Kids Cafe program is so important, and we are grateful to be able to help support it.”

The GBFB Kids Cafe program provides meals to children during out of school hours when they are often in danger of not being fed.  Conducted in partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, the program feeds close to 1,000 children per day, five days a week. 

”We are grateful for this generous donation from Shaw’s. In addition to the 400 meals they are providing at the Kids Cafe on Friday, the financial contribution will enable us to provide an additional 118,000 meals to those in need in eastern Massachusetts,” said D’Amato.

The Yawkey Club of Roxbury is one of several local Boys and Girls Clubs with a Kids Cafe program.  In addition to the $5,000 donation, Shaw’s leaders also provided more than 125 pizzas as well as salads for the Kids Cafe to serve during the dinner service on January 4. 

According to the USDA, nearly 15 percent of U.S. households were food insecure in 2011.  Shaw’s and its customers recognize the importance of feeding those in need particularly during a rough economic period.  Through a variety of efforts such as its fresh rescue program, volunteer efforts and donations, Shaw’s continually works to support area food banks and pantries.