Mayor Helps "Bag Hunger" at Brookdale ShopRite Charity Event

As part of a national effort to raise funds and awareness during designated National Hunger Action Month, Mayor Raymond McCarthy and Councilman Nick Joanow helped bag groceries this morning at the Brookdale ShopRite in Bloomfield. The charity event took place today, on a day Gov. Chris Christie declared an "Official Day to Help Fight Hunger."

“It is our obligation, not only as elected officials but as humanitarians, to give back,” McCarthy said. 

ShopRite Partners In Caring, a year-round, community based initiative, has been helping to raise awareness and inspire action within local communities since 1999. With nearly 50 million Americans (including 17 million children) suffering from food insecurity, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated more than $27 million to 1,700 charities that provide food assistance throughout the Northeast.

On hand to help this morning at the busy Broad Street supermarket was Christine Magyarits, manager of community relations and corporate communications for Wakefern Food Corporation, the parent company of the grocery store. She said during these difficult times it’s important to remember people who may actually be suffering from hunger “though they don’t wear a stamp on their head.”

“We sometimes take it for granted all of the food we have here,” she said, gesturing towards the abundant stacks of food in the grocery aisles. “Any of these people could have [just] $15 in their pocket to feed a family of five for a week.  You just don’t know who it is.”

Magyarits represents all 240 ShopRites in New Jersey.  She said the economy has forced people to change their eating habits, including eating out less often, which makes ShopRights efforts even more crucial for struggling families. “The need is so great now.  We are trying to do what we can to support people in our community,” she said.

Brookdale ShopRite owner Neil Greenstein agreed. “The face of hunger has changed dramatically,” he said.  “The partnership between ShopRite and General Mills has been great to help raise awareness of hunger.”

Greenstein described today as “ a good day.”

“Our political leadership in town also helps a great deal,” he said, smiling.

For his part, McCarthy was happy to help in any way he could.  As he and Joanow cheerfully greeted customers and filled bags, he quipped,  “This is my fourth or fifth year doing this, and it’s always fun.”